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LIFE OF 



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WASHINGTON. 



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THE AMERICAN BOY'S 



LIFE OF 






"WASHINGTON. 41 



/ 

By MRS. ANNA M. HYDE. 




'Let all the ends thou aim'st at be THY..fi<niNTiBT*B, 
Tht God's, AND truth's." ..-'' 




NEW YORK: 

PUBLISHED BY JAMES MILLER, 
522 BROADWAY. 

1868. 










Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1867, 
By JAMES MILLER, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District of 

New York. 



3J-3 2. 



«»»r5j; 






1867 



PEEFAOE. 



It might almost seem presumptuous for any one 
to offer another version of the life of "Washington, 
when the ground has been so fully occupied by 
worthier pens. After Marshall, Sparks, and Irving 
have written, who indeed need take up the subject ? 
Yet it was suggested that a hoys* life of this great 
man might still be welcomed by the public, and 
would find readers among the rising generation — 
those who would shrink from a larger work, and 
yet could find enjoyment in a little book like this. 

In the present volume a clear narrative has been 
attempted in a very condensed form, omitting and 
avoiding such technical and abstruse expressions 
as frequently occur in larger works, and aiming 
chiefly to be understood by the boys for whom it 



6 PREFACE. 

has been written. In preparing it the writer is 
largely indebted to the three able biographers 
above mentioned, especially to Sparks and Irving, 
to whose full and detailed accounts she refers all 
those who wish to study the subject more mi- 
nutely. 



OOE"TES"TS. 



I 



CHAPTER I. 

FAGS 

Introduction— Parentage and pedigree of "Washington. 21 

CHAPTER n. 

Removal from the place of his birth — Hobby's school — 
His father's care — The letters in the garden — Story 
of the hatchet — Love of truth , 25 

CHAPTER HI. 

Limited advantages for education — Love for his bro- 
ther Lawrence — Military spirit of the family — Law- 
rence engages in the French and Spanish War — Sails 
for Jamaica — George joins in the military spirit — 
Plays soldier at school — The youthful commander — 
Death of his father— His excellent mother— Her care 



CONTENTS. 

rxGx 
of her cMldren — Distribution of the property — Goes 
to live with his brother Augustine — School adven- 
tures 29 



CHAPTER IV. 

Washington's education — Strong frame and active 
habits of body — Experiments in training horses — 
Desire to enter the navy — His mother's opposition 
— His obedience — His taste for suiTcying — Neatness 
of his drawings— Falls in love — The Fairfaxes — 
Lord Fairfax comes to Virginia — His large landed 
possessions — Washington accompanies him on his 
hunting excursions — Is employed to survey his 
lands..; 



CHAPTER V. 

Perilous journey over the Blue Ridge— Adventures 
in the Wilderness — Indian dance — Exposures — Re- 
turn to Mount Vernon — ^Delight of Lord Fairfax — 
His residence west of the mountains — Greenway 
Coui-t — Washington receives his first appointment 
to oflSce- Foundations for future success— Threat- 



CONTENTS. y 

TXOX 

enings of war — French and English claims — The 
Ohio Company — Jealousy of the French — Prepara- 
tions for war — "Washington appointed adjutant-gene- 
ral of the militia — Takes lessons in military tactics — 
Failing health of his brother Lawrence — They go 
together to the West Indies — George has the small- 
pox — Lawrence comes home to die — His will 44 



CHAPTER VI. 

Return to militaiy Hfe— Building forts— Perilous jour- 
ney — Dangers and escapes — Orders for raising troops 
— Washington appointed lieutenant- colonel — The 
Seven Years' War — First battle — Reverses — Wash- 
ington in command of the regiment — General Brad- 
dock's insolence to Washington — His death — Wash- 
ington returns to his home — Receives the commen- 
dations of Congress 



CHAPTER VIL 

Washington's patriotism — He is appointed commander 
of the Army of Virginia — Difficulty in transporting 
troops and material for war— Fears of the people — 



10 CONTENTS. 

PAG« 

Indian outrages — Another defeat — Capture of Fort 
Duquesne — Its ruins repaired and strengthened — 
Other successes — The French lose their American 
possessions — Washington retires from military life — 
His marriage — Quiet life at Mount Yernon — Growing 
encroachments of England — Taxations — Complaints 
of the people — The Stamp Act — Refusal to use Brit- 
ish goods — The tea in Boston harbor — The Conti- 
nental Congress — Warlike opinions — Boston block- 
aded by a British fleet — Washington appointed com- 
mander-in-chief 67 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Battle of Lexington — Revolutionaiy spirit aroused — 
Gen. Putnam's patriotism — General Washington ap- 
points his officers — Anival of more ships and ti'oops 
from England — Boston besieged by the patriots — 
Battle of Bunker's Hill 78 



CHAPTER IX. 

Washington takes the head of the army— General 
Howe's expedition — His fleet sails to North Carolina 



CONTENTS. 11 

PAGE 

— Sad news from Canada — Discouragements — Brit- 
ish evacuate Boston — Wasliington goes to New 
York — He expresses liis views to Congress — Inde- 
pendence must be obtained — Secret plot discovered 
and defeated — Arrival of General Howe's fleet in 
New York harbor — Declaration of Independence — 
No longer called " Colonies " — Title of " United 
States" adopted — Proposals of pardon from the 
crown — Rejected by Congress — Scarcity of supplies 
— Superiority of the British army in numbers and 
equipments — Battle of Long Island — Troops re- 
moved from Long Island — Americans evacuate New 
York 86 



CHAPTER X. 

Discouraging events in Canada — Benedict Arnold — 
Unsuccessful attacks on Quebec — Canada abandon- 
ed—General Lee sent to manage affairs in the South 
— Sir Henry Clinton defeated, and obliged to return 
— Attempts to destroy British shipping — Fresh ar- 
rivals of British ships and troops— Washington still 
hopeful — Advances of the English — Loss of Fort 
Washington ; 97 



12 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER SKI. 

PAGE 

Opposing views of the generals — Washington not dis- 
couraged — Retreat into Jersey — March toward the 
Delaware River — Cornwallis in pursuit — Miserable 
condition of our army — Strange delay of General Lee 
— Washington crosses the Delaware before the enemy 
reach it — They are unable to follow — General Lee 
taken prisoner — Gloom and despondency through- 
out the countiy — Washington plans an attack on 
Trenton — Recrosses the Delaware — Surprise of the 
Hessians — Victorj' for the Americans — Partial fail- 
ure of a part of the plan — Cadwalader crosses at 
Burlington — Pursuit of the Hessians 105 



CHAPTER XII. 

Washington joins in the pursuit — Short enlistments — 
Difficulty in getting money — Important captures — 
Effect of Washington's movements on Lord Corn- 
wallis — The former retreats again to Trenton — Meeta 
the enemy at the bridge — Cornwallis w^aits for the 
morrow — Washington's strategy — Comwallis's pur- 
suit — Battle at Stony Brook — Washington encamps 
for the winter at Morristown 120 



CONTENTS. 13 

CHAPTER XIII. 

Britisli promises broken — Washington's prolcamation 
— Small-pox in camp — A hard winter — Exchange 
of prisoners — British cruelty to our men — General 
Howe makes an expedition up Long Island Sound — 
Successful counter-movement — Arrival of Kosciusko 
— British driven out of Jersey — Another secret ex- 
pedition — Philadelphia its supposed destination^ 
Washington marches to Gennantown — Arrival of. 
Lafayette — British expedition lands at Elkton — 
Washington hastens to meet them — Battle of Bran- 
dywine — Return to Germantown — British entrance 
into Philadelphia — Contrast between the two ar- 
mies 139* 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Transactions in the Northern Department — British 
plans for ending the rebellion — Burgoyne — St. Leger 
— General Schuyler — St. Clair — Scarcity of troops — 
Capture of General Prescott — British plans work 
well — Schuyler not discouraged — Battle of Benning- 
ton — Arnold's strategy — St. Leger' s ti-oops driven 
back — General Gates supersedes General Schuyler 



14: CONTENTS. 

PAOB 

— Jealous conduct of the former — Burgoyne's posi- 
tion uncomfortable — British fleet ascends the Hud- 
son — Defeat of Burgoyne — Sir Henry Clinton re- 
turns to New York 139 

CHAPTER XV. 

Battle of German town — Washington encamps at White- 
marsh — Winter-quarters, at Valley Forge — Secret 
enemies — Intense sufferings of the army — Apparent 
indifference of Congress — Washington prays — Visits 
of old friends — Baron Steuben — News of Burgojnie's 
suiTender in England — Proposals for peace — They 
are rejected by the United States — Treaties with 
France — British troops evacuate Philadelphia — 
Troubles between France and England — Battle of 
Monmouth — Washington pursues the enemy — Con- 
duct of General Lee — Court-Martial — Arrival of 
French fleet in the Delaware— Consultations with 
French officers — Unsuccessful expedition 149 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Indian massacre in Wyoming — Admiral Byron's fleet 
—Departure of the French fleet— British expedition 



CONTENTS. 16 



PAGE 



to Georgia — Americans in winter-quarters — Indiffer- 
ence of Congress — Pressm-e for money — Troops sent 
to punish the Indians — Invasion of New England 
— Washington proceeds up the Hudson — Captures — ■ 
Fortifications at West Point — Dinner at headquarters 
— ^Army at Morristown — Cold winter — Paper-money 
— Return of General Lafayette — Prospect of relief 
from France — Blockade at Newport — General Arnold 
becomes a traitor — Washington deceived by him — 
Major Andi-e — Arnold's baseness — Andre's capture 
— Arnold's escape — Washington's surprise — Execu- 
tion of Andre — ^ Arnold enters the British service — 
The captors of Major Andre — Congress rewards 
them 163 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Proceedings of the British in the South — Washing- 
ton's kindness to General Gates — Seat of war trans- 
feiTcd to the South — Battle of Cowpens — General 
Greene in command — He retreats toward Virginia — 
Comwallis pui-sues — Battle of Guilford Court House 
— British retreat to Wilmington, N. C. — Greene's 
successful attack on Camden, S. C. — Battle of Eutaw 



16 CONTENTS. 



PAG> 



Springs — Arnold's base acts — Mount Vernon threat- 
ened by a British ship — Washington's projects in the 
North — Change of plans — Washington leads the 
army into Virginia — Siege of Yorktown — Sui'render 
of Lord Coniwallis — Thanksgivings and rejoicings 
over the event — Death of Parke Custis — ^Prospects of 
peace — Lafayette returns to France — Washington at 
Newburg — Proposals to make him king — Dissatisfac- 
tion of the soldiers — Washington's wise counselg — 
Treaty of peace — Farewell address — British evacu- 
ate New York— Return to Mount Vernon 177 



CHAPTER XVIII. 

The quiet winter at Mount Vernon — Hospitalities — 
Changes among his friends — Letter from Jacob Van 
Braam — Visit of Lafayette — Grief at parting with 
him 189 



CHAPTER XIX. 

Washington's interest in public improvements— Estab- 
lishment of the Potomac and James river companies 
— ^Extent of Mount Vernon— Regular hom*s— Wash- 



CONTENTS. 17 

PAGB 

ington laughing at the judges — Death of General 
Greene — Unsettled state of the government — Meet- 
ing of the general convention — Washington chosen, 
president — His triumphant journey to the capital — 
Reception at Trenton — His inauguration- Rejoicings 
at New York 197 

CHAPTER XX. 

Auspicious beginning of his term of oflBce — Arrange- 
ment of houi-s — His regard for the Lord's Day — 
Alarming illness — Death of his mother — Her cha- 
racter — Choosing ofBcei's — Debt of the countiy — 
Hamilton's plan for paying it — Location of the Na- 
tional Capital — Troubles in France — Lafayette sends 
the key of the Bastille — Visit to Rhode Island — Re- 
turn to Mount Vernon — Expedition against the In- 
dians — Washington's message to the hostile tribes — 
Congress meets at Philadelphia — United States Bank 
chartered — Opposition to the measure 2091 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Tour through the Southern States — ^Brief stay at Mount 
Vernon — Re-election — French Revolution — Death of 



18 CONTENTS. 



TAO* 



Louis XVI. — "Washington's anxiety for Lafayette — 
War between France and England — Course of the 
United States — Dissatisfaction of some of the people 
— Improper conduct of England — Washington's de- 
ske to settle the difficulties without war — Mr. Jay 
sent out — A treaty of commerce and peace — Inso- 
lent behavior of the French Minister — His recall de- 
manded by Washington — James Monroe sent over to 
France — His cordial reception — The whiskey insur- 
rection — Signing of Jay's treaty — Anival of George 
"Washington Lafayette — Washington's efforts for his 
father's release — Eeunion of the family 221 



CHAPTER XXIL 

^Washington's Farewell Address — John Adams and 
Thomas Jefferson elected President and Vice-Presi- 

"dent — ^Washington's last meeting with Congress — 
Farewell duaner — Inauguration of the new Presi- 
dent-r-Retum to Mount Vernon — Washington once 
more hears his countiy call — Prospect of war with 
France — Matters peacefully an-anged — Winter at 

^Mount Vernon — Alaiming illness — Preparations for 



CONTENTS. 19 

FACS 

death — Closing scenes — ^Funeral — ^Action of Con- 
gress — SoiTOw of the people — His will — ^Provision 
for his slaves — His views of slavery 234 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Character of Washington — His bright example— Traits 
of his childhood and youth — His manhood — His 
religion and patriotism — Self-control — Dislike of 
profanity — His personal appearance — Conclusion. . . 247 



THE LIFE 



OP 



WASHINGTON, 



CHAPTEE I. 

Introduction — Parentage and pedigree of Washington. 

To the boys of America, wlio are soon to be 
its law-makers and statesmen — its soldiers and 
defenders — the history of their country, and 
the life of him whom we call its Father and 
Founder, must ever be interesting and import- 
ant subjects of study. Every American boy, 
who seeks a model after which he may form 
his own life and character, will find one worthy 
of close imitation in that of Washington, 
whose name stands before the world without a 
whisper of reproach, to be the pride and boast 
of all his countrymen. 



22 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Not that every one's vocation will be war, or 
tlie founding, or even defending of his coun- 
try by force of arms ; but there are many other 
ways of serving its cause, which is the cause 
of justice and liberty, and every one who ar- 
rives at the age of manhood may assist in the 
work. 

As we realize ourselves to be the fellow- 
countrymen of "Washington, let us strive to 
show ourselves worthy of so high an honor — 
emulating not only his public, but his private 
virtues ; his truthfulness, his filial affection, his 
piety, and faithfulness, both to his country and 
his God. 

George Washington, the third son of Augus- 
tine Washington, was bom on the 22d day of 
February, 1732, at his father's residence, on 
Bridges' Creek, Westmoreland Co., Va. His 
great-grandfather, John Washington, a gentle- 
man of highly respectable family in the north 
of England, emigrated to America about the 
year 1657, and settled on the place where George 
was bom. 

Together with his brother, who accompanied 
him from England, John Washington purchased 
quite a large tract of land in Westmoreland Co., 



LIFE OP WASHINGTON. 23 

between the Potomac and Eappahannock riv- 
ers. He married Miss Anne Pope, the daugh- 
ter of a near neighbor, and they settled near the 
mouth of Bridges' Creek, a small stream which 
empties into the Potomac. 

He soon became a wealthy planter, holding 
offices of trust and honor under the colonial 
government, and he was the Colonel Washing- 
ton who, when the war against the Seneca In- 
dians was begun, led the Virginia forces, and 
put an end to the incursions and outrages which 
the savages were constantly committing upon 
the settlers along the Potomac. 

The district where he resided was called in 
his honor, and is still known by the name of 
"Washington Parish." 

This much-honored ancestor of the greater 
Washington was buried in the family vault, on 
the plantation at Bridges' Creek, as were sev- 
eral of the succeeding generations. 

Augustine, the grandson of John Washington, 
was born at this place, in 1694, and was twice 
nxarried. His first wife was Jane Butler, of 
Westmoreland Co., who lived about thirteen 
years after her marriage, and left two sons, 
Lawrence and Augustine. His second wife was 



24 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Mary Ball, the daughter of Colonel Ball, of the 
same county. She is reported to have been very 
young and beautiful. Her children were four 
sons and two daughters, one of the latter dying 
in infancy. 

The eldest son of this second marriage was 
George, the great man who has immortalized 
the name. The old-fashioned farm-house, with 
sloping eaves, and brick chimneys outside, in 
which he was bom, has fallen into decay, and 
there is nothing but a stone to mark the spot 
where it stood. An inscription upon it tells the 
visitor that this was the birthplace of Wash- 
ington. 




LITE OF WASHINGTON. 25 



CHAPTEK II. 

Removal from the place of his birth — Hobby's school — His 
father's care — The letters in the garden — Stoiy of the 
hatchet — Love of truth. 

When George was little more tlian five years 
old, his father left the old homestead of his 
ancestors, and I'emoved to another estate in 
Stafford County, opposite to where the city of 
, Fredericksburg now stands. 

There are some now living who can remem- 
ber the house before it fell into a heap of ruins, 
and they describe it as a plain old-fashioned 
Virginia farm-house, having four rooms on the 
first floor, steep roof, with low, projecting eaves, 
and several chambers in the attic. It stood on 
a little hilly piece of ground, overlooking the 
muddy waters of the Rappahannock. 

At this place George passed the years of his 
boyhood, and on a comer of one of the broad 
fields stood the plain and humble school-house 
where he and his younger brothers received 
their first lessons in the rudiments of study. 

Mr. Hobby, the teacher of this little school, 
3 



26 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

and sexton of the parish, was a tenant of Mr. 
"Washington, and as he did not possess great 
learning himself, could not be expected to pro- 
duce finished scholars. A, B, C, and a little 
spelling and reading, with a smattering of arith- 
metic and penmanship, was the extent of learn- 
ing that came within the range of his ability to 
impart. But little George had, besides this, the 
oversight and instruction of his excellent father, 
who was very fond of his children, and took 
great delight in doing every thing that would 
give them pleasure. Every day he would take 
them by the hand, and leading them forth into 
the fields, would point out to them the wonders 
of nature and the goodness of God, constantly 
endeavoring to instil into their minds the duties 
of religion and the love of truth. 

With a view to George's gratification and sur- 
prise, this good father once prepared a smooth 
bed in the garden, and had written thereon with 
the point of a sharp stick the name of his son. 
Then sowing along the little furrows some fine 
seed, it was once more smoothed over, and left 
for the rain and sun to produce the intended 
effect. In about ten days afterward, as George 
and his father were taking their usual walk 












,!l. 



ffi ><B|> 







Waphinfjtoo and his Father. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 27 

around the well-known garden paths, they 
paused to gather the dark ripe gooseberries 
that were sure to occasion a little interruption 
at this point of the road, and as the boy reached 
over to gather the largest and ripest from the 
other side of the bush, he suddenly caught sight 
of the green letters, which now stood out dis- 
tinctly on the smooth ground beyond the bushes. 
There they were, plain enough, to be sure — 
Geokge Washington. Not a letter missing. 

" Oh, look here, papa !" he exclaimed, in an 
ecstasy of joy, as he beheld the strange and un- 
expected sight : " How did it happen that these 
letters should grow here to spell my name ?" 

" It is certainly a curious affair," replied his 
father, with mock gTavity. 

" But how did it happen, papa?" persisted the 
child, who had no idea that such things came 
by chance. 

So his father explained to him how he had 
indeed sown the seeds in that form, but that his 
heavenly Father alone could cause them to 
sprout and grow : thus bringing a good lesson 
out of even this little incident. 

The anecdote of the hatchet is no doubt fa- 
miliar to many of our youngest readers ; yet, as 



28 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

it shows liow firmly the love of truth was im- 
planted in his nature, we will nevertheless re- 
peat it here. 

"When George was some seven or eight years 
old, his father gave him a hatchet ; and like all 
boys who are suddenly made the owners of such 
a desirable possession, he began trying its edge 
on every thing that came in his way. Unfor- 
tunately, however, he thoughtlessly chopped 
dow^n one of his father's favorite young cherry- 
trees, never dreaming of the mischief he had 
done until Mr. "Washington next day discovered 
it, and inquired for the culprit. 

As soon as the boy heard of the loss, and 
learned how highly his father had valued the 
tree, he came forward in a manly manner, though 
with great sorrow pictured on his countenance, 
and exclaimed, " I did it father, with my hatchet ; 
I cannot tell a lie." 

This so touched his father's heart, that he 
embraced his son most tenderly, while he de- 
clared how much more he valued this evidence 
of truthfulness than all the trees in his garden. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 29 



CHAPTEK III. 

Limited advantages for education — Love for his brother 
Lawrence — Military spirit of the family — Lawrence en- 
gages in the French and Spanish War — Sails for Jamai- 
ca — George joins in the military spirit — Plays soldier at 
school — The youthful commander — Death of his father 
— His excellent mother — Her care of her children — Dis- 
tribution of the property — Goes to live with his brother 
Augustine — School adventures. 

In those days there were few good schools 
in the country, and it was customary for the 
wealthier people to send their sons to England 
to be educated, especially if they were intended 
for any of the learned professions, which re- 
quired more than is usually comprised in a plaia 
English education. - . 

Of course, in a large family, it was scarcely 
possible that all should be sent abroad, and in 
this case Lawrence Washiagton, the eldest son, 
was selected ; and, after spending several years 
in England, he returned, a well-informed and 
accomplished young man of twenty-one. His 
favorite brother George was fourteen years 
younger, being at this time between seven and 
2* 



30 LIFE OP WASHINGTON. 

eight, and La^vrence, who is always spoken of 
as a youth of noble character, extended to the 
little boy an affectionate care and interest, which 
won for him the full measure of childish confi- 
dence and regard. George considered his man- 
ly brother as a model for his imitation ; and it 
was well for him that the patten set before him 
was so well worthy of the name. 

In the early histories to be found in the gen- 
ealogies of the Washington family, it seems that 
a military spirit had marked the race since the 
days of William the Conqueror's warhke knights. 
Lawrence Washington had inherited it in some 
degree ; and so, when the orders came to raise 
a regiment in the colonies for the West Indies, 
to resist the combined forces of the Spanish and 
French, who were about to make an attack on 
the British possessions there, the young soldier, 
though only twenty-two years of age, was ap- 
pointed captain in the new regiment, and sailed 
with Admiral Vernon and General Wentworth 
for Jamaica. 

It was not to be wondered at that George, 
who had entered with great interest into all the 
preparations for his brother's campaign, should 
share in the martial spirit of the hour. He 




%,*4* 



~<N\nS.c\\v>\ ^^.^^'> 



The Young General. 



LII^ or WASHINGTON. 31 

neYer had cared for in-door sports ; lie loved to 
run and jump, and could throw a stone entirely 
across the wide river, which was a considerable 
feat for a man. But now all his amusements 
became of the mihtary order. He cared no 
longer for tops, or marbles, or balls. He wanted 
all the boys to be soldiers, and he, of course, 
their captain. There he stood when play hour 
would come, with all the boys in Hobby's school 
ranged along the wall, to be drilled and instruct- 
ed in the new art of shouldering muskets and 
brandishing swords. A few paper hats and 
chicken feathers, with other impromptu finery 
that coxdd be gathered up, answered for the 
uniform, while cornstalks furnished admirable 
muskets, and calabashes answered well for 
drums. 

When these preliminaries were settled, the 
company was divided into two pai-ts ; one was 
to be the French, and the other the American 
army. George would always command the 
latter, while the biggest boy in the school, one 
William Bustle, was chosen to lead the enemy. 
Then they would march and countermarch, the 
rough wooden swords they had whittled for 
themselves brandished high in the air, with 



32 ' LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

words of authority, just as if both the occa- 
sion and the armies were the most real in the 
world. 

But when the sham fight began, and the 
cornstalks came into play with full fury, vic- 
tory was sure to rest on the American side. He 
Avas George Washington even then, although 
but ten years old. 

Before George was eleven years old, the kind 
and excellent father, who had ahvays taken such 
an interest in his welfare, and had so greatly 
promoted his growth in knowledge and virtue, 
was taken fi'om him. The lad was away from 
home on a visit to his relatives in another 
county, when summoned to attend the death- 
bed, and arrived only in time to hear his father's 
last farewell. 

Mr. Washington's illness was short but se- 
vere, and from perfect health, a few days suf- 
ficed to close his earthly career. Thus the son 
lost the benefit of those wise counsels which 
had always guided his steps, at the very age 
when he most needed them. But happily those 
early lessons had taken deep root in his heart, 
and the kind and watchful care of an excellent 
and pious mother was still permitted to lead 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 33 

and mould liis cliaracter for its great, and then 
unforeseen future, of honor and distinction. 

The mother of Washington was all that a 
mother ought to be — tender and affectionate, 
jet firm, and requiring from her children the 
strictest obedience. She was accustomed to 
read dailj to them from the best and holiest 
books, and teach them the duties of prayer, and 
reverence for their Father in heaven. 

With such a mother to train his childhood, 
no wonder that his morals were pure, and his 
private character unspotted ; for those rules of 
life which he learned at his mother's knee were 
too deeply implanted for any outward cares or 
after scenes to efface. The favorite book from 
which she used to read aloud to the assembled 
group of her children is still preserved in the 
collection of relics at Mount Yernon. It was a 
copy of Sir Matthew Hale's " Contemplations, 
Moral and Divine." 

"A precious document," says Washington 
Irving. "Let those Avho -wish to know the 
moral foundation of his character consult its 
pages." 

Augustine Washington left a large estate, 
enough to give a good portion to each of his 



34 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

cliildren. The place now known as Mount Yer- 
non, on the banks of the Potomac, was given to 
his oldest son Lawrence, who was now maiTied 
to Miss Fairfax, of Fairfax county. It was so 
named by Lawrence Washington, after his re- 
turn from the West Indies and Carthagena, in 
honor of Admiral Vernon, v* ho had commanded 
the exjoedition. Here he settled with his young 
bride about three months after his father's death, 
while Augustine, the second son, took up his 
residence on the old homestead, at Bridges' 
Creek. 

George's share was to be the house and lands 
where the family were then residing, on the Eap- 
pahannock ; but all the property intended for her 
own children was intrusted to the mother's 
keeping until they should come of age. 

By the time George was twelve years old, he 
had learned as much as Mr. Hobby, the sexton, 
was able to teach, and he was, therefore, sent 
to live with his haK-brother Augustine, at 
Bridges' Creek, where there was a good school 
taught by a person named WiUiams. Here he 
soon became a favorite with the other boys, 
being at the same time studious and attentive 
to his lessons. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 35 

It is told by one who was a scliool-mate of 
his, at this famous institution, that in all cases 
of disputes among the boys, he was the one who 
was called on to settle them ; and thej were al- 
ways contented to abide by his judgment. Oc- 
casionally, also, when the master was absent 
from the school-room, a quarrel would arise, and 
hard words and fisticuffs were sure to follow be- 
fore matters could be settled between the bel- 
ligerent school-boys ; but whether this occun-ed 
in Hobby s school-room, or among the larger 
growth in Mr. Williams' more pretentious estab- 
lishment, George Washington was the only one 
who could, or would interfere to separate the 
parties, and make peace between them. His 
simple request was generally enough to quiet 
the disturbance, such was his influence, and so 
well did he use it. 




36 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTEE lY. 

Washington's education — Strong frame and active habits 
of body — Experiments in training horses — Desire to enter 
the navy — His mother's opposition — His obedience — 
His taste for surveying — Neatness of his drawings — Falls 
in love — The Fairfaxes — Lord Fairfax comes to Vir- 
ginia — His large landed possessions — Washington accom- 
panies him on his hunting excursions — Is employed to 
survey his lands. 

George Washington's education was plain 
and practical, but not brilliant. He was neat 
and exact in his penmanship, and pursued those 
studies which were likely to prove most useful 
to a man of business; thus he became very 
thorough at accounts, and able to keep all his 
books and financial matters in the most com- 
plete and business-like order. In after-years, 
when his duties became so numerous, and his 
pubhc responsibilities very heavy, his various 
iccounts were all fairly and accurately kept, in 
his own handwriting. 

As he grew to man's size, his strong and agile 
form increased in physical power, until he could 
\ccomplish,'with ease, many a feat that would 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 37 

be considered quite wonderful in a full-grown 
man.. The various athletic sports, of which he 
was so fond, all favored the development of 
nerve and sinew ; and his courage and sldll in 
managing horses was illustrated on several oc- 
casions that are recorded. Once he undertook 
to train a wild and vicious horse, belonging to - 
his mother ; and, at the evident risk of his life, , 
he mounted, and kept his place in the saddle, , 
although the furious animal endeavored in vain 
to throw him. At last the horse, in its fi-antic 
efforts to disengage itself from the rider, burst 
a blood-vessel, and fell to the ground, in a dying 
state. Of course, the loss of such an animal 
was considerable, and the boy felt, perhaps, that . 
he deserved his mother's censure ; but, without 
waiting until another had told her of the mis- 
chief done, he frankly acknowledged himself in . 
fault, and asked her forgiveness, which we may 
be sure was not withheld. 

At the age of fourteen, while still at school, , 
George conceived a great desire to enter the 
British navy. This arose, probably, from his 
hearing the oft-repeated stories of the recent 
voyages and military undertakings in which his 
brother Lawrence had been engaged. His hearts 
4 



38 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

was set upon going to sea, and lie drew from his 
mother a most reluctant consent, chiefly granted 
through the urgent sohcitations of his brothers 
and other friends. They obtained a midship- 
man's warrant for him, and all the preparations 
wei'^ made for his departure. His trunk was 
e^en placed on board the vessel, which was lying 
at anchor in the Potomac, near Mount Vernon, 
when his mother's grief, and openly expressed 
desire that he should not go, caused him to give 
up, without a murmur, his favorite scheme. Al- 
though so firm and courageous, in her ideas of 
duty, she could not bring her mind to intrust 
this, her eldest son, to the dangers of the sea- 
going profession. Who can wonder at her 
weakness, if it were such, and who can help ad- 
miring the noble youth who so readily gave up 
his own cherished plans, just as they were so 
nearly accomplished, to gratify his mother? 
But the hand of God was directing in all this, 
because he had other work for this son to do 
upon the land, which could not well be intrusted 
to another ; and how dijfferent might have been 
the history of this nation had he persisted in 
his first choice ! 

George now returned to school, where he re- 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 39 

mained until within a fewmont]is of sixteen years 
of age ; and, with a view to the future practice of 
survepng, of which he was quite fond already, 
he diligently pursued the study of mathematics, 
with geometry and trigonometry. Many of his 
manuscript drawings of surveys are still pre- 
served, and are models of neatness and accTi- 
racy. He would survey the school fields, and 
prepare diagrams, describing their boundaries 
and extent with clearness and propriety. Noth- 
ing that he undertook was left haK-done ; but, 
with perseverance and order in all his plans, he 
furnishes a bright example to the boys, whose 
privilege it is now to study his character, and 
model their own after it. 

It was, probably, about this time that he pre- 
pared a " Series of Rules for Behavior and Con- 
versation," which, in his own neat handwriting, 
is still preserved at Mount Vernon. There are, 
also, with these, a few poetical pieces and scraps 
of letters, which show that, at this early period 
of his life, the great "Washington was a lover, 
although, from his shjraess and youthful diffi- 
dence, he never ventured to tell it to the lady 
thus honored. So he pined in silence, and 
wrote his sonnets, while in due course of time 



4:0 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

she became the wife of another, who was older, 
and perhaps less modest. 

The preference and affection which Lawrence 
Washington had always shown for his brother 
George had grown stronger since the death of 
their father, and the latter was very often a 
guest at Mount Vernon. Lawrence had settled 
doTvn to the duties and occupations of a landed 
proprietor, holding an interest, also, in certain 
large iron furnaces on the Rappahannock. He 
was, besides these, a member of the House of 
Burgesses, which was the legislature of the 
colony of Virginia, and adjutant-general of the 
district, with a moderate salary. 

A few miles below Mount Vernon was Belvoir, 
the beautiful residence of the Hon. William 
Fairfax, father-in-law of Lawrence Washington. 
Of course, there was a constant intercourse be- 
tween the two families, and George became 
quite intimate with the various members of the 
Fahiax household. 

To this fortunate acquaintance much of his 
successful advancement was to be attributed, as 
we shall see. 

Mr. Fairfax was an Enghsh gentleman of 
high cultivation, and had filled many offices of 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 41 

trust and honor under tlie crown, but had now 
taken up his residence at Belvoir, chiefly that 
he might manage the immense landed property 
of his cousin Lord Fairfax, who, though a man 
of much worth and generosity, was yet quite 
eccentric and pecuhar. 

His possessions extended from the Potomac 
to the Eappahannock, and reached as far as the 
Alleghany Mountains on the west. 

About the time that George began to visit at 
Belvoir, the wealthy Lord Fairfax arrived there, 
from England, on a visit, intending to explore 
his great domain. 

He was a bachelor of about sixty, and had 
inherited these lands fronf*'his mother, the 
daughter of Lord Culj)epper, who had received 
the grant from King Charles II. 

During a former visit, upon looking into the 
boundaries of the property, he had discovered 
that on the western border there was need of a . 
more accurate settlement, as the head-waters, 
of the Potomac started far above those of the 
Rappahannock, So he returned to England, 
and the question was finally arranged in such a 
manner as to give him also a portion of the- 
Shenandoah vaUey. 



42 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

But he was so mucli pleased with the climate 
and people of Virginia that he had now deter- 
mined to make it his permanent home. 

George Washington is described at this time 
as a manly youth, well-bred, and intelligent, 
though little more than sixteen years of age, 
and a great favorite with the proprietor, who 
made him his companion on many a fox-hunt- 
ing expedition. With their EngHsh hounds, 
and fine horses, they would traverse the wild 
country for many miles around; and the 
youth's courage and skill in managing the 
spirited animals won the praise of the sport- 
loving nobleman. 

But these exp^tions led to others, more im- 
portant by far to the future career of our hero. 
Lord Fairfax had observed his fondness and 
ability for surveying, and determined to em- 
ploy his young friend in the extensive surveys 
of his large property, which were now to be 
made. His liberal offer was gladly accepted 
by George, and the preparations made for this 
hazardous expedition into the wild and almost 
unexplored wilderness, abounding not only 
with bears and wolves, but with hostile sav- 
.ages. However, these things were not likely to 



u^iiiaSSi-^ 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



43 



deter a brave and active youtli like George 
Washington, and, accordingly, in March, 1748, 
in company with George Fairfax, son of the 
Hon. WiUiam Fairfax, of Belvoir, he set out on 
horseback to cross the Blue Eidge. 




44 LIFE OF WASHINGTON, 



CHAPTEE Y. 

Perilous journey over the Blue Ridge — Adventures in the 
Wilderness — Indian dance — Exposures — Return to Mount 
Vernon — Delight of Lord Fairfax — His residence west 
of the mountains — Greenway Court — Washington re- 
ceives his first appointment to oflBce — Foundations for 
future success — Threatenings of war — French and Eng- 
lish claims — The Ohio Company — Jealousy of the French 
— Preparations for war — Washington appointed adjutant- 
general of the militia — Takes lessons in military tactics — 
Failing health of his brother Lawrence — They go to- 
gether to the West Indies — George has the small-pox 
— Lawrence comes home to die — His will. 

"Winter was scarcely over, and the many 
mountain streams that lay in their way were 
swollen so as to be almost impassable ; yet on 
they went through the beautiful valley of the 
Shenandoah, which was so called by the In- 
dians themselves, and signiiSes " the daughter 
of the stars." 

His diary was kept very carefully as they 
went along, and recorded all items that were 
likely to interest Lord Fairfax — the quality of 
the soil, the character and localities of settlers, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 45 

• 

and the relative value of the lands and im- 
provements. 

As they travelled on they would now and 
then come upon what were known as " clear- 
ings," where emigrants had settled, and cutting 
away the heavy timber, had built for them- 
selves rude cabins of logs, and had for several 
years been raising fine crops of tobacco, hemp, 
and maize. But these rude huts were entirely 
devoid of the comforts now to be found in 
every poor man's home. 

At night the travellers would gladly take 
refuge in one of them, if within reach ; but 
often the act;ommodations were such that open- 
air privileges, with a nap on the ground before 
a fire, were to be preferred. The following ex- 
tract from the diary will give one day and 
night's experience as backwoodsmen : 

" 15 3IarcJi, 1748.— Worked hard till night, 
and then returned. After supper we were 
lighted into a room, and I, not being so good a 
woodsman as the rest, stripped myself very 
orderly and went into the bed, as they called it, 
when, to my surprise, I found it to be nothing 
but a little straw matted together, without sheet 
or anything else, but only one threadbare 



46 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

blanket, with double its weight of vermin. I 
was glad to get up and put on my clothes, and 
lie as my companions did. Had we not been 
very tired, I am sure we should not have slept 
much that night. I made a promise to sleep so 
no more, choosing rather to sleep in the open 
air before a fire." 

One of the varieties of entertainment, which 
served to change the scene occasionally, occurred 
while they were stopping at the house of Colonel 
Cresap, near the Potomac river. A party of 
some thirty Indians, returning from one of their 
warlike expeditions, appeared at the place ; and, 
after being well treated by the master, they 
made a fire upon an open space, and seated 
themselves around it. Then commenced the 
curious antics and contortions which constitute 
their grand war-dance, a spectacle which, hav- 
ing never before been witnessed by Washington, 
made a great impression on him. 

Thus they proceeded on their way, crossing the 
swollen waters of the south branch of the Po- 
tomac in a canoe, and swimming their horses 
over. Then came a long tramp through the 
mountainous regions of Frederick County, all 
the time surveying and taking notes, while they 




Washinfrton on a Surveying Expedition. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 47 

lived entirely in the open air, and upon the wild- 
fowl and other game with which the region 
abounded. In his diary he tells of their experi- 
ence in cooking, and of the very rough utensils 
which they were obliged to use for the purpose. 
Sometimes they w^ere drenched with the rain ; 
at others, the fire would not burn without smok- 
ing them in a most uncomfortable manner ; and 
once the straw, on which "Washington himself 
was sleeping, took fire, and he narrowly escaped 
with his life. 

Once they took supper at the house of a jus- 
tice of the peace, named Solomon Hedge ; but 
there were no knives or forks to eat with, unless 
the guests had them of their ow^n. This wiU 
give an idea of the style of living in those days, 
even among people who professed considerable 
gentility. 

On the 12th of April, they returned from their 
perilous journey to Mount Vernon, and Lord 
Fairfax was greatly delighted with the manner 
in which the young surveyor had executed his 
task. 

Soon after this, his lordship removed his res- 
idence across the Blue Ridge, and laid out a 
magnificent manor of ten thousand acres, giving 



48 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

to the place the name of " Greenway Court." 
In the midst of this he intended to build a spa- 
cious dwelling-house ; but, until it was done, he 
took up his residence in the long one-story house, 
with steep roof and dormer windows, which was 
formerly occupied by one of his land-agents. 
Here were dispensed the hospitalities of Green- 
way Court ; but his lordship preferred sleeping 
alone in a small outbuilding, he being, as we 
have said, of an eccentric turn of mind. 

Around the mansion-house were scattered the 
bams and stables, with buildings for the farm- 
ers and servants, and kennels for his hounds ; and 
every day a goodly number of dependants and 
strangers were partakers of his bountiful hospi- 
tality. 

Through the influence of Lord Fairfax, "Wash- 
ington received the office of public surveyor, 
which was a source of great profit, to him, and 
gave authority to his surveys. These were, of 
course-, recorded in the county offices, and are 
at this day to be seen, their unquestionable cor- 
rectness entitling them to universal credit. 

In the sporting season, Washington continued 
to spend much time at Greenway Court, enjoy- 
ing the company of Lord Fairfax in the excite- 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 49 

ments of the chase ; but the three summers be- 
tween his seventeenth and twentieth years were 
mostly occupied with the surveys of his lord- 
ship's estates, the winters being passed at Mount 
Yemon. 

During those three important years, he was 
laying the foundations of his future success, for 
often did he meet with bands of friendly Indians, 
from whom he learned the ways and manners 
of the inhabitants of the forests. And when, in 
a few years afterward, the Indian war broke 
out, he knew every mile of the territory, the 
fordable places of the streams, and the best 
mountain-passes ; so as this was the very scene 
of warhke operations, his intimate knowledge 
of the whole region, gained during his survey- 
ing tours, was invaluable at that time of fre- 
quent surprises and daily perils. 

It was during those three years, while Wash- 
ington was engaged in his mountain expedi- 
tions, that signs of an approaching outbreak 
between the French and their Indian allies on 
the one side, and the British settlers on the 
other, became evident and threatening. There 
had been a general war in Europe, existing for 
several years, which had just been ended by 



50 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, but strangely 
enough, in settling other matters, the French 
and Enghsh had forgotten to agree upon the 
boundary lines between their respective pos- 
sessions in America. Each nation was there- 
fore anxious to lay claim to certain rich terri- 
tories, and each, of course, gave some good 
reasons for thus asserting its rights. 

The English claimed to have purchased the 
whole tract lying between the Alleghany moun- 
tains and the Mississippi river from the Indians 
in 1744, for the sum of four hundred pounds. 
The French rested their claims on the previous 
discovery 'of the territory by certain represent- 
atives of that nation, who, in the year 1673, 
had sailed down the Mississippi, in a canoe, to 
the mouth of the Arkansas Eiver, and they 
therefore considered themselves the owners 
of that great river, and all its tributary streams, 
with the lands on both sides "for many miles 
back. 

As the Ohio wsls one of these tributaries, it 
will be seen that the claim was a large one, and 
it was difficult for settlers to know to which of 
the two governments their allegiance was due, 
while the Indians, whose claims were certainly 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 61 

prior to either party, were altogether left out 
of the question, or else expected to take sides 
with one of the disputants. 

Not a single white settlement had yet been 
made west of the Alleghanies, so that the land 
in question was in reality occupied by the origi- 
nal savages, and these the French endeavored 
to win over to their side by all means in their 
power. 

. But an independent party of fur-traders, 
from Pennsylvania, had abeady established 
quite an extensive trade with the Indians, who 
inhabited the lands bordering on the Ohio. 
They were accustomed to set out with a large 
train of horses and mules laden with trinkets, 
gay cloth, powder and shot, and rum, which 
the savages were glad to take in exchange for 
their valuable furs. 

In time this had become a lucrative trade, 
and it was no wonder that other parties desired 
to share in the same. This was the case with 
some of the most enterprising and respectable 
men in Maryland and Virginia, who set on foot 
a scheme for starting settlements along the 
Ohio Kiver, beyond the Alleghanies. 

They readily obtained a grant of five hun- 



52 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

dred thousand acres, for which they were to 
pay no rent for ten years, but were to settle 
upon it as many families as possible, and also 
to build a fort, and garrison it at their own 
expense, which was deemed necessary as a pro- 
tection against the Indians. 

This was chartered by the British govern- 
ment in 1749, and named the " Ohio Company," 
and among other prominent citizens, who aided 
and encouraged the scheme, were Lawrence 
and Augustine Washington — the former being 
at one time its chief manager. 

The company at once began to import goods 
suited to the tastes and fancies of their Indian 
customers, and everything looked promising, 
when the jealous French in Canada became 
aware of their plans, and early in the same 
year that the charter was granted a delegation 
of three hundred men came down to the banks 
of the Ohio, with tempting gifts, as bribes for 
the Indians. They told them of their friend- 
ship and regard, and warned them not to trade 
with the English, who were their enemies, at 
the same time nailing up plates against the 
trees, on which were inscribed the claims of 
France to the whole region. One of these 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 53 

plates was recently found buried in the ground, 
near the mouth of the Muskingum. 

But the Indians did not like the looks of these 
plates, and chose to continue their friendship 
and allegiance to the EngHsh, who soon sent a 
man named Gist to explore the lands of the Ohio 
Company, and offer the friendly savages both 
presents and protection. 

On the other hand, the persevering efforts of 
the French had been successful in bringing over 
some tribes to their side, and prospects grew 
more and more threatening, until in Virginia 
preparations were made for open war. 

As a preliminary step, the province was di- 
vided into military districts, and an adjutant- 
general, having the rank and pay of major, was 
allotted to each, who was intrusted with aU the 
militia arrangements and the enlisting of men. 
To one of these posts George Washington was 
appointed, being at the time only nineteen years 
old : but his former military ardor returned with 
this first occasion for its active exercise ; and, 
under the instructions of a certain Adjutant 
Morse and Jacob Yan Braam, who had served 
with his brother Lawrence in the late attack on 
Carthagena, he gave up his whole attention, for 
5* 



54* LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

a little while, to tlie study of military tactics at 
Mount Yernon. 

But in tlie midst of tliese studies, his brother 
Lawrence's health began to fail, and symptoms 
of consumption were apparent. A milder cli- 
mate for the ensuing winter was therefore ordered 
by the physician ; and, with George as a com- 
panion, he sailed for Barbadoes, in September, 
1751. Very soon after their arrival, George was 
attacked with small-pox, and had the disease 
quite severely, being considerably marked by it 
during the rest of his life. 

The warm climate, lovely fruits, and sea- 
breezes, brought no rehef, however, to the in- 
valid, and he missed the society of his Avife ; 
so George was sent back to bring her out to 
Bermuda, where Lawrence was to join them in 
the spring. But before they had sailed from 
Yirginia, a letter fi'om him announced his inten- 
tion of returning home to die, which, alas, 
proved to be no vain foreboding, for he arrived 
just in time to die among his family, in his own 
houae at Mount Yernon. On the 26th of July, 
and in the thirty-fourth year of his age, this 
noble and well-beloved brother breathed his last, 
regretted and honored by all who knew him. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



55 



By his will, the property at Mount Vernon 
was left to his infant daughter ; but in case of 
her death without heirs, and after the death of 
his widow, it was to go to his favorite brother 
George, who was named as one of the executors 
of the estate, a trust which he managed with 
entire satisfaction and fidelity. 




66 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTEE YI. 

Return to military life — Building forts — Perilous journey — 
Dangers and escapes — Orders for raising troops — Wash- 
ington appointed lieutenant-colonel — The Seven Years' 
War — First battle — Reverses — Washington in command 
of tlie regiment — General Braddock's insolence to Wash- 
ington — His death — Washington returns to his home — 
Receives the commendations of Congress. 

Both the French, and British governments 
had now set about the preparations for war in 
good earnest, and forts were being erected at 
different points by the two parties, who, with 
their Indian allies, were scattered over the val- 
leys of the Alleghany, Monongahela, and Ohio 
rivers, with some of its other eastern tributaries. 

The French bnilt one on French Creek, about 
fifteen miles south of Lake Erie, and the Yir- 
ginians began theirs at the forks of the Ohio, 
formed by the confluence of the two rivers AUe- 
ghany and Monongahela, where the city of Pitts- 
burg now stands. 

On the 14th of November, Major Washington, 
who had now resumed his military duties, set 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. • 57 

out, at the request of Governor Dinwiddle, to 
traverse the five hundred miles of wilderness 
that lay between his home and the post of the 
French commandant. The accounts given in 
the diary of this perilous journey are very thrill- 
ing,, and the Providential escapes from destruc- 
tion by fire and flood, the treachery of the 
Indian guides, and the intense cold, may well 
impress us with a feeling of wonder, and thank- 
fulness to the wise and omnipotent Father, who 
thus watched over and protected the head of 
the future Republic. The Indians themselves, 
who had so often taken deadly aim at him, but 
whose murderous assaults had always failed in 
their purpose, declared that he led a charmed 
life, and the Great Spirit was preserving him for 
some unknown end. 

But notwithstanding the dangers that beset 
their way, he and his attendants reached the 
post in safety, delivered the despatches, and, 
convinced that there was still greater danger in 
delay, set out on their return as soon as possi- 
ble. Again the journal tells of the hazardous 
canoes, and drifting ice, as they came down the 
rivers, and the long marches which they were 
forced to take because their horses were almost 



58 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

in a dying state, and could not carry more than 
tlie provisions and equipments. 

On one occasion tliey worked with "one 
poor hatchet," for a whole day, in order to con- 
struct a raft, on which they might cross the 
rapid Alleghany Kiver, it being frozen partly 
over, with great blocks of floating ice drifting 
down the current. When it was launched they 
went on board of it, but " before we were half- 
way over," says the journal, " we were jammed 
in the ice in such a manner that we expected 
every moment the raft would sink, and ourselves 
perish. I put out my setting-pole to try to stop 
the raft, that the ice might pass by, when the 
rapidity of the stream threw it with so much 
violence against the pole, that it jerked me out 
into ten feet water. But I fortunately saved 
myself by catching hold of one of the raft 
logs. Notwithstanding all our efforts, we could 
not get the raft to either shore, but were 
obliged, as we were near an island, to quit our 
raft and make to it." 

Here, again. Providence interfered, and they 
were preserved, for, after remaining all night 
upon the island, without any protection but the 
blankets in which they rolled themselves to 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 59 

sleep upon the snow, they crossed upon the 
newly-formed ice, which happily by this time 
irsis strong enough to bear their weight, and, 
after a few hours' further march, reached a 
trading-post, where they remained to rest for a 
few days. On this spot, eighteen months after- 
ward, the battle of Monongahela was fought. 

On the 16th of January, after an absence of 
eleven weeks. Major Washington, together with 
his staunch friend, Mr. Gist, arrived at Wil- 
liamsburg, then the capital of Yirginia. 

Governor Dinwiddie now perceived that the 
Canadians intended to prevent all further ex- 
tension of British interests along the Ohio, 
and immediately issued orders for a force to be 
raised and prepared for service. Virginia was 
called on for six companies, and Washington 
appointed lieutenant-colonel, being too modest 
to take the chief command. 

Colonel Fry was at the head of the regiment, 
and they were pushed on with all speed, in 
order to reach the Ohio Eiver before the French 
should come down, which they had threatened 
to do as soon as the spring opened. 

When the regiment reached Wills' Creek, 
they learned that the French had overwhelmed 



60 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

and driven awaj Captain Trent's party from 
the fort they were building at the forks of the 
Ohio Kiver, and had taken possession of the 
unfinished work. This they ' afterward com- 
pleted, and named it Fort Duquesne, in honor 
of the governor of Canada. 

Colonel Washington did not hesitate a mo- 
ment after hearing this news, but hurried on, 
and soon received information of an intended 
attack upon them, which the French were then 
meditating. As there was no time to be lost, 
he took the head of the little band of fifty men, 
and a few friendly Indians, and, marching all 
night, by morning they came up with the 
enemy, who were completely surprised. A 
fight ensued, which resulted in the death of 
the French commander, M. Jumonville, and ten 
of his men, while the rest of the party, twenty- 
two in number, were made prisoners and sent 
to Yirginia. ^ 

This was the first battle of the great Seven 
Tears' War, and the young colonel was now only 
twenty-two years of age. Keturning to Great 
Meadows, where they had already thrown up 
such intrenchments as the time and their means 
would allow, the defences were at once strength- 







Washington liBtening to an old Soldier's Story, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 61 

ened, and soon assumed tlie proportions and 
appearance of a respectable fort. Owing to the 
circumstances that had obliged its construction, 
they named it Fort Necessity. 

The death of M. Jumonville caused much ex- 
citement, both in Canada and in France, and it 
was spoken of in the papers as the murder of a 
peaceable citizen. As Colonel Washington ex- 
pected, a large force was sent against them, 
probably in order to avenge his death, which 
orertook and attacked the Virginians just as 
they had returned from Gist's settlement, thir- 
teen miles distant, and when they were almost 
within' reach of their fort. They were, of 
course, overpowered, and obliged to retreat 
within its walls, where terms of capitulation 
were agreed upon. By a strange coincidence, 
this first reverse occurred on the now memora- 
ble 4th of July, just twenty-two years before 
the Declaration of Independence. 

It was a sore trial to the young officer, who, 
by the recent death of Colonel Fry, was now in 
full command of the regiment, but not a word 
of blame was heard ; he had done the best he 
could with the small means under his control, 
and until help should arrive from England 



62 LIFE, or WASHINGTON. 

(wliicli was sent during the next year), tliey 
could scarcely hope for better success. 

When General Braddock arrived with his two 
regiments of royal troops, he joined the Yir- 
ginia volunteers, and took command of the 
army, treating with marked disrespect Colonel 
Washington's well-deserved reputation ; but he 
gladly accepted his services as aid-de-camp. 

The British officer was a brave man, but con- 
sidered himself, as a regular in the royal army, 
.far above the mere volunteer in importance, 
although the young Yirginian's knowledge of 
the wild country around them could by no 
means be spared in the present campaign. No 
wonder that Washington was disgusted with all 
this, but his desire to help his coimtry's cause 
overbalanced even his pride, and he submitted 
to the position and services assigned to him. 

The summer of 1755 had now opened, and 
found them on the march over the mountain 
toward Fort Duquesne, confident of a victory, 
provided they could reach that point before the 
enemy was re-enforced. 

But Colonel Washington was taken extremely 
ill at Great Meadows, and most unwillingly re- 
mained behind — General Braddock promising 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 63 

to send for him before the action snouid take 
place, which promise he gladly kept. 

On the morning of the 9th of July, when 
they were yet several miles from the fort, they 
were attacked by an advance of the enemy 
which had been sent out from Fort Duquesne, 
and now fired upon the British columns fi'om an 
ambush on the side of a hill. This unexpected 
attack from an unseen enemy produced a gen- 
eral panic among the troops, and they fell back 
in great confusion, which all the efforts of the 
officers could not remedy. There they re- 
mained, huddled together, firing irregularly, 
and after the Indian fashion, " each man for 
himself behind a tree." 

During the three hours that this damaging 
state of things continued, the French and In- 
dians were keeping up a deadly fire upon the 
panic-stricken soldiers, taking deliberate aim 
at the officers, until they -had killed many of 
the bravest of them, and General Braddock 
himself received a mortal wound. Of the 
three aids-de-camp who accompanied him into 
battle, Washington was the only one who es- 
caped, and of the w^hole army, which only a. few 
hours before crossed the river in high spirits, 



64 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

on their way, as tliey supposed, to victory, raore 
than half were killed or wounded. 

In a letter, ^Arritten by Washington to his 
brother John Augustine, he speaks thus of the 
battle : " By the all-powerful dispensation of 
Providence I have been protected beyond all 
human probability or expectation ; for I had 
four bullets through my coat, and two horses 
shot under me ; yet I escaped unhurt, although 
death was levelling my companions on every 
side." 

But on the enemy's side the loss was very 
small; for they w^ere concealed and protected 
by the deep ravines and rocks, and the British 
balls passed harmlessly over their heads. Had 
General Braddock taken Washington's advice, 
and accepted the offered services of the fiiendly 
Indians, as scouts, to go before the main body 
of the troops, they would have spied out the 
concealed enemy, and might have entirely pre- 
vented the disasters of the day ; but he placed 
the greatest rehance on his trained soldiers, who 
truly might have shown to advantage on a level 
battle-field, yet were utterly unable to match 
the rude backwoodsmen and Indians, whose 
lives had been spent in the forest, and whose 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 65 

mode of warfare was according to a very dif- 
ferent metliod of tactics. Thus, his folly and 
obstinacy cost him his Hfe ; for four days after 
this bloody fight (known in history as the battle 
of the Monongahela) he died in the arms of his 
soldiers, and was bmied by the road-side, near 
Tort Necessity, the straggling remnant of the 
army afterward making the best of its way to 
Fort Cumberland, at Wills' Creek. 

At the first appearance of General Braddock's 
haughty treatment, soon after his arrival in the 
country, to which we have before alluded. Col. 
Washington had resigned his commission, and 
returned to Mount Ve?;non; but, through the 
urgent invitation of that repentant officer, who 
had by that time learned to knoAv his worth, the 
young patriot had accepted the office of aid-de- 
camp. Of course the duties of the appointment 
ended with the life of General Braddock, and 
Washmgton returned once more to his quiet 
home, much enfeebled by his late illness, and 
the arduous labors that had succeeded it. 

As might naturally be supposed, though en- 
tirely unsought by him, this memorable defeat 
drew forth the loudest comments of the govern- 
ment ; and while it brought blame and reproach 

6* 



66 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

upon the unfortunate leaders of the expedition, 
it bore the name of Washington still higher in 
the estimation of his countrymen. Providence 
had ]3ermitted this catastrojDhe ; and, as we 
have often seen in other cases, that which was 
then so deeply regretted became really a source 
of blessing to the land. Had the result been 
different, the laurels which Washington unques- 
tionably deserved would have been given to 
another, while his full abilities and energy were 
suffered to lie dormant, because overshadowed 
by a superior authority. 



■^*eiA^ 




LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 67 



CHAPTEE VII. 

Washington's patriotism — He is appointed commander of 
the Army of Virginia — Difficulty in transporting troops 
and material for war — Fears of the people — Indian out- 
rages — Another defeat — Capture of Fort Duquesne — Its 
i*uins repaired and strengthened — Other successes — The 
French lose their American possessions — Washington re- 
tires from military life — His marriage — Quiet life at Mount 
Vernon — Growing encroachments of England — Taxations 
— Complaints of the people — The Stamp Act — Refusal to 
use British goods — The tea in Boston harbor — The Con- 
tinental Congress — Warlike opinions — Boston blockaded 
by a British fleet — Washington appointed commander-in- 
chief 

"Washington's connection with tlie army was 
now over ; and, on summing np the results of 
his experience as a soldier thus far, he found 
them rather discouraging than otherwise, for 
both his pocket and health had suffered con- 
siderably in aU the hazardous expeditions of the 
last few years. EQs mother urged him to with- 
draw from military duty, and no longer risk his 
life on the fi'ontiers ; but to this he could not 
agree, when the voice of his countrymen called 
him to the command of the Army of Yirginia. 



68 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

The news of liis appointment reached him on 
the 14th of August, 1755, and on the 14th of 
September he established his headquarters at 
Winchester, a central point, fi-om which he coulJ 
direct the movements of the army and the trans- 
mission of supplies. 

But how different were the facilities for all 
these preparations at that time compared with 
those of the present ! No railroads nor steam- 
boats to convey the heavy artillery and troops, 
nor even good wagon-roads, and bridges over 
the streams ; all was to be taken through the 
forest or swamps, fording the rivers, and drag- 
ging the baggage over the steep sides of the 
mountains for hundreds of miles. Besides all 
these difficulties, it was hard to persuade the 
settlers to enlist in the war, against such formi- 
dable enemies as the French and Indians, espe- 
cially since the last disastrous battle ; they 
thought there was enough for them to do at 
home in keeping off the incui'sions of the sav- 
ages, who were constantly making war on their 
defenceless plantations. 

Various exciting rumors would arise to awaken 
the fears of the people, and so great was the 
panic, that sometimes two or three negroes seen 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 69 

bj tlie wayside were magnified into an armed 
body of savages, nor could these fears (too often 
correct) be quieted imtil the scouts sent out by 
Washington to search the country returned with 
the news that the band of Indians which had 
occasioned their terror had retreated across the 
mountains with their booty and captives. These 
savages were some who had joined the French 
cause since Braddock's defeat, being ready to 
share in the sj)oils of victory. 

These visits and alarms were oft-repeated and 
constant, until the people came thronging to 
Washington for his protection, which, alas, it 
was out of his powder to give, for want of men 
and means. 

So passed the years 1756 and 1757, without 
any very important event, except continued 
small victories won by the French on the north- 
ern frontier ; but they were full of wearing care 
and anxiety to the Virginian commander, who 
was himself finally prostrated for several months 
with severe illness. 

In 1758, another unsuccessful attack was made 
upon Fort Duquesne, and a scene very much 
like Braddock's defeat occurred, the two chief 
officers in the expedition only saving their lives 



70 LIFE OF WASHINCfTON. 

by a suiTender. This second defeat was entirely 
owing to the bad management of Captain Grant, 
the leader, and also to the disregard of Wash- 
ington's advice ; the obstinate and conceited 
commander-in-chief, General Forbes, insisting 
upon opening a new road tlirough Pennsylvania, 
instead of going by the old and more familiar 
track which had been travelled so often before. 

But victory yet awaited the perseverance of 
the Yirginian troops, and although it was now 
nearly winter, Washington liimseK led the ad- 
vance of the army in a third attack, approach- 
ing with great caution the formidable fort, whose 
capture had been twice before unsuccessfully 
attempted. Contrary to their expectation, the 
prize was easily taken, the French having evac- 
uated and set fire to it the day before. 

On the 25th of November, Washington took 
possession of the ruins, and then, as a first duty, 
they all set about the work of collecting and 
burying the bones of the poor soldiers who had 
fallen under Braddock and Grant, for they were 
scattered on the ground for miles around the 
fort. They next proceeded to rebuild the ruins, 
which were soon put into a tolerably strong 
state, changing the name to Fort Pitt, in honor 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 71 

of the distinguisliecl British minister of those 
days. From that grew the name of Pittsburg, 
which stands on the same ground. 

When this important point was occupied, the 
chief object of the campaign was gained, for 
the whole southern frontier was now in posses- 
sion of the Enghsh, and the Indians soon de- 
serted the French cause, and made a treaty of 
peace with the British settlers, leaving the Ohio 
river in their peaceable possession. 

The taking of Fort Duquesne was followed 
by other important successes on the part of the 
English. In July, 1759, several expeditions 
were undertaken, which ended in the taldng of 
Fort Niagara, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, the 
surrender of Quebec (at which last both the 
French and English commanders, the brave 
Montcalm and the gallant Wolfe, were slain) ; 
and, finally, the capitulation not only of Mon- 
treal, but of the whole of Canada. Thus the 
French lost all their possessions in America, 
and the English were now supreme owners of 
the soil. 

Immediately after the taking of Fort Du- 
quesne, Washington withdrew from mihtary life, 
and retired to the estate at Mount Yernon, which 



72 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

had become liis upon the death of the widow 
and daughter of his brother Lawrence, and be- 
gan his preparations for a hfe of domestic hap- 
piness by marrying Mrs. Martha Custis, widow 
of John Parke Custis, Esq., to whom he had 
been for some time engaged. 

She is described as a beautiful woman, young, 
and very wealthy, and the mother of two chil- 
dren, a boy aged six, and a girl four years old. 

The estate of Mount Yernon had been in- 
creased by purchase of other lands, until it now 
embraced six thousand acres of fields, lawns, 
and woodlands, with fine hunting-grounds and 
fisheries. The house had been enlarged and 
embellished before his marriage, and was beau- 
tifully situated on a lovely hill, as it stands to 
this day, overlooking the Potomac river. 

He was a vestryman in both the neighboring 
parishes, and the little church which he mostly 
attended at Pohich was rebuilt by him. "When- 
ever the J'oads permitted, he was in attendance 
at one or the other of them, a devout and atten- 
tive worshipper, being always interested in what- 
ever related to the church's prosperity. 

Here, for seventeen years, he passed his time 
in superintendmg these large estates, at the 




Washington before he was Commauder-in-Chiel'. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 73 

same time being a member of the Legislature, , 
or House of Burgesses, and interesting himself 
in many schemes for the public good. But while- 
he was thus enjoying the retirement of his pleas- 
ant home, he was not unmindful of what was 
passing around him, — of the heavy taxations, , 
encroachments, and oppressions of England, , 
which were becommg greater and gTeater year 
by year, until finally they passed the bounds of 
patient endurance, and ended in an open oppo- 
sition. 

The professed object of this taxation was the 
payment of the debt incurred by the recent 
French and Indian war, and the colonial legis- 
latures were justly indignant at the means taken 
for doing it. The home government was wealthy, 
and possessed ample resources for raising the 
money, while the colonies were new, and unable 
to manufacture even the common articles which 
■v^ere needed in every family; so the plan of 
taxing all importations for these purposes was 
resorted to, and raised the first sparks of that 
resentment which finally led to their independ- 
ence. 

The people now with one voice refused to im- 
port British merchandise, and throughout the 



74 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

whole country homespun garments became the 
order of the day, while constant complamts and 
petitions were sent to England, and brought be- 
fore Parhament. But all these remonstrances 
were in vain; instead of lessening the evils, 
greater ones were added. In March, 1765, the 
Stamp Act was passed, which required that all 
legal writings should be executed upon stamped 
paper, which of course could only be had of the 
'British Government agents. 

These acts of injustice and oppression became 
the subjects of discussion in the legislative bodies 
of the various colonies ; and even in Vhginia, 
where the strictest loyalty to the Crown had al- 
ways prevailed, were heard the plainest outcries 
for American hberty. 

Yarious plans were next resorted to with a 
view to conciliate the Americans ; some of the 
duties were Hghtened, and others enthely re- 
moved, but the principle upon which the colo- 
nies objected to this taxation was still unrecog- 
nized; they were taxed without their consent, 
and nothing less than a removal of the whole 
grievance would pacify the uneasy spuit that 
was now awake. 

One important article that had been largely 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 75 

•used in the colonies was tea ; and now that all 
had refused to buy it, the East India Company 
in England, who had large warehouses full to 
sell, were in some perplexity on account of the 
falling off in the demand, and thinking that re- 
moving a part of the duty would remedy the 
difficulty. Parliament passed a bill which allowed 
them to export it to America without paying ex- 
port duty. They of course imagined that the 
Americans would now purchase it in large quan- 
tities, so they sent over several ship-loads to 
different ports. 

From some places they were sent back with- 
out being permitted to unload ; in others, it was 
stored away, but never usefl; and in Boston, 
the tea was quietly poured into the harbor, and 
the empty vessels sent back to England. This, 
of course, caused great indignation there ; and 
it was now plainly seen that the people were 
united in opposing the whole system of taxa- 
tion. From North to South there was a feeling 
of perfect agreement ; and when, in a few months 
afterward, the Boston port-bill was passed, clos- 
ing the port of Boston, with other outrageous 
encroachments on the liberties of the people, 
the whole country was filled with resentment ; 



76 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

and in the Virginia House of Burgesses resolu- 
tions were passed which so alarmed the Gov- 
ernor, Lord Dunmore, that he dissolved the 
House. 

But this could not quiet the spirit which was 
now aroused; and the Burgesses at once re- 
tired to another chamber, where they discussed 
matters more fully, and proposed to the other 
colonies the plan of holding a general Congress, 
for the purpose of imited action in the common 
interests of all. 

This proposition was well received; and on 
the 5th of September, 1774, the first Continental 
Congress assembled in Carpenter's Hall, Phila- 
delphia. George Washington was present, with 
some others of the best and ablest sons of Vir- 
ginia ; and from all parts of the land were sent 
those whose eloquence and energy was to make 
their names, as well as their acts, immortal. 

History tells of the great solemnity that per- 
vaded that Congress ; of the devout prayer with 
which it was opened, and the feehng of awe that 
was everywhere present ; but, as the meetings 
were held with closed doors, there is no record 
of its proceedings. The few state papers writ- 
ten by its members, and published afterward, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 77 

are, however, master-pieces of eloquence and 
ability. 

Matters were now growing more and more 
warlike in their appearance, and already the 
British troops, under General Gage, had occu- 
pied Boston Common, while a fleet of ships 
blockaded the harbor. 

The time for action had come, and on the 15th 
of June, 1775, Washington was unanimously 
elected commander-in-chief of the Continental 
Army, as it was then named, a trust which he 
very modestly accepted, expressing his fear that 
he would be found unequal to the task. On the 
3d of July he took command of the army, at 
Cambridge, Mass. 




78 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTEK VIII. 

Battle of Lexington — Revolutionaiy spirit aroused — Gen. 
Putnam's patriotism— General Washington appoints his 
officers — Arrival of more ships and troops from England 
—Boston besieged by the patriots— Battle of Bunker's 
Hill. 

But we must go back a little while. It was 
in April, 1775, about two months previous to 
Washington's appointment to the chief com- 
mand, that the first blow was struck at Lexing- 
ton. General Gage, who still occupied Boston 
with his four thousand troops, determined to 
send a deputation to Concord, twenty miles dis- 
tant, for the purpose of destroying the military 
stores there held by the patriots. 

On the night of the 18th, they started in 
boats, from the foot of Boston Common, and 
crossed to Cambridge, from whence they were 
to march silently on, so as not to alarm the 
country through which they passed. 

But one of the leaders of the people's party, 
Dr. Warren, had observed the boats, and, sus- 
pecting mischief, had despatched two messengers 



UFE OF WASHINGTON. 79 

to give the alarm. At tlie same time a lantern 
was hung out of a high church window, a signal 
which had been before agreed on. 

As Colonel Smith, with his nine hundred Brit- 
ish troops, marched on toward Concord, they 
heard the ringing of the village bells and the 
firing of alarm-guns, showing that their move- 
ments were already known, and the people ready 
for them ; so he quickly sent back to Gen. Gage 
for more help. In answer to the request. Major 
Pitcairn, with six companies, came on, in hopes 
of securing the bridges at Concord before the 
alarm should reach there. 

But the village of Lexington lay in his way ; 
and by the time he reached the centre of that 
little town, a goodly number of the sturdy farmers 
had assembled, armed with the best guns they 
could collect. When the gallant major saw how 
matters stood, he drew up his men, and ordered 
them to load their guns ; then waving his sword 
with an air of great authority, he called on the 
" rebels" to disperse. As may be supposed, the 
orders were not obeyed, and according to Pit- 
cairn's account, the first shot was fired by the 
patriots; however that may be, the red-coats 
poured a volley into their ranks, and succeeded 



80 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

in killing and wounding eighteen of them, and 
scattering the remainder. 

The number of the Americans was seventy 
or eighty, and of the British troops nearly nine 
hundred, which easily accounted for the victory 
in which they so greatly rejoiced. 

At Concord they destroyed all the arms they 
could find, but the timely alarm given by War- 
ren's messengers had enabled the people to re- 
move and conceal a good part of them ; and 
while the work of destruction was going on, 
the patriots were assembhng on a little hill 
overlooking the town. Considerable skirmish- 
ing ensued, during which the American spirit 
and energy were displayed, and some damage 
done to the enemy, who now took up their re- 
treat towards Boston, having been joined by re- 
enforcements under Lord Percy, which General 
Gage had despatched to the aid of Colonel 
Smith. 

Up to this time the Americans were without 
a leader, and were acting in the ardor of their 
enthusiasm, though without much system or 
management. In this state of affairs General 
Heath, and Dr. "Warren, who had just been 
appointed a general, arrived and took command, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 81 

marslialling tlie men and soon bringing them 
into something like mihtary order. When the 
British army, under Lord Percy, began their 
march toward Boston, the Americans pursued 
them Avith a harassing fire in the rear, until 
when the worn-out troops reached Gage's head- 
quarters, they had lost in killed, wounded, and 
missing two hundred and seventy-three, inclu- 
ding eighteen officers — the loss of the patriots 
being forty-nine killed and forty-four wounded 
and missing. 

The first blood had now been spilt in the 
cause of liberty, and the spirit of revolution 
was abroad throughout the land ; everywhere 
the old soldiers of the French war were ready 
to start again to arms. 

Washington's old companion on the frontiers, 
Colonel Israel Putnam, was ploughing in his 
field when he heard of the battle at Lexington, 
and without stopping to put away his plough, 
or go to his house, he took the horse from its 
harness, and, moimting on its back, rode off 
with all speed to join in the struggle. 

At the same time, in another direction, 
Crown Point and Ticonderoga, with other 
points which gave complete command of the 



82 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

lakes, Champlain and George, had also been 
surprised and captured by a party from Ver- 
mont, who called themselves the " Green Moun- 
tain Boys," and were under the leadership of 
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold. 

Such was the state of affairs when, at the 
opening of the second Congress, Washington 
was elected the Commander-in-chief. 

Of course things were in a state which would 
not admit of delay, and he at once selected and 
appointed the officers who were to serve under 
him. General Ward, then commanding in 
Boston, was to be next in rank to himself, and 
General Charles Lee the third: two other 
major-generals — Philip Schuyler and Israel 
Putnam, with eight brigadier-generals, and 
Horatio Gates, adjutant-general, with the rank 
of brigadier. Both Lee and Gates had been 
officers in the British army, but were out of 
commission, and living for some years past on 
their estates in Virginia. All the others were 
American bom. 

Within a few weeks several ships-of-war had 
come from England, bringing more troops, 
imder the command of Generals Burgoyne, 
Howe, and Clinton, and great hopes of success 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 83 

were now entertained by General Gage and the 
rest. They scorned the ability of mere yeomen 
and undisciplined soldiers to withstand the 
scientific efforts of the British officers and 
troops, and they sailed into Boston harbor in 
fine spirits. 

At the time these re-enforcements arrived, the 
patriotic army had besieged Boston, with the 
intention of keeping the British shut up in the 
city. No provisions from the country around 
were permitted to enter it ; and, as this had 
continued for some time, it was becoming rather 
uncomfortable to the Britishers. 

On the night of the 16th of June, 1775, the 
Americans marched around the city to Bunker's 
Hill, intending to fortify it ; but, by a misunder- 
standing, the neighboring height, called Breed's 
Hill, was selected, and before morning intrench- 
ments had been thrown up, behind which a force 
was planted, much to the surprise of the British, 
who at daylight could see them plainly from 
their ships in the harbor. 

A few shots were fired by the vessels, which 
soon alarmed General Gage, and he immediately 
embarked a large force, which was commanded 
by General Howe, and landed near Breed's Hill, 



84 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

about one o'clock on the ITth. After carefully 
observing the fortifications, he sent to General 
Gage for more troops and ammunition, thus 
making preparation for a vigorous assault. 

The Americans, however, were not idle either ; 
for, while the enemy waited, their own re-enforce- 
ments came up, and further intrenchments were 
made on Bunker's Hill, and behind them, ready 
to do good service for their country, w^ere some 
of the bravest men that ever lived, although 
they did not wear red coats, nor were called reg- 
ulars. The fearless "Warren, Putnam, Prescott, 
Stark, and others, were there, and directed the 
little garrison with such judgment and effect, 
that three times the enemy were driven down 
the hill, with dreadful loss. Their ammunition 
was now nearly exhausted, and finally, after the 
fourth attack, they were obliged to retreat fi'om 
their works, the brave General Warren falling 
dead as they turned to leave the hill. 

This was the first regular battle of the war, 
and but for the want of means to continue the 
defence, must have ended in a victory to the 
American side ; as it was, the British might well 
feel mortified at the result, for their best and 
boasted troops had been overmatched by a far 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



85 



inferior force of mere yeomanry, whose skill they 
had so much despised. Out of their whole de- 
tachment of two thousand men, the}^ had lost 
one thousand and four, the American loss being 
about four hundred and fifty. 

Among the British officers who fell in the ac- 
tion was Pitcairn, who had led the royal troops, 
and shed the first blood at Lexington. 




86 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTEK IX. 

Washington takes the head of the army — General Howe's 
expedition — His fleet sails to North Carolina — Sad news 
from Canada — Discouragements — British evacuate Bos- 
ton — Washington goes to New York — He expresses his 
views to Congress — Independence must be obtained — 
Secret plot discovered and defeated — Arrival of General 
Howe's fleet in New York harbor — Declaration of Inde- 
pendence — No longer called " Colonies" — Title of" United 
States" adopted — Proposals of pardon from the crown — 
Rejected by Congress — Scarcity of supplies— Superiority 
of the British army in numbers and equipments — Battle 
of Long Island — Troops removed from Long Island — 
Americans evacuate New York. 

General' Washington had started from Phil- 
adelpliia on the 21st of June, to take the head 
of the army at Cambridge, in company with 
Generals Schuyler and Lee. The former was 
to be placed in command of New York and its 
surroundings, while the latter accompanied 
Washington to Cambridge. 

They had proceeded but a few miles beyond 
the starting-place, when they had the first news 
,of the battle of Bunker's Hill, and, as might be 
supposed, they made all haste to reach their 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. ' 87 

destination. At New York the Ml particulars 
were ascertained ; and Washington was dehght- 
ed to hear of the brave conduct of the Ameri- 
cans, exclaiming with confidence, " The liberties 
of the country are safe !" 

At New York, as in every town and village 
through which they passed, there was an out- 
pouring of patriotic joy at the sight of the Com- 
mander-in-chief, whose tall and elegant figure 
on horseback drew forth the admiration of the 
assembled crowds. The shouts of the militia 
and citizens, as he entered the camp, showed 
how great was the confidence of the people in 
their new chief, and were heard within the 
enemy's quarters, in the besieged city, three 
miles oif. 

About the end of the year it became evident 
that General Howe was preparing for some se- 
cret expedition, as the ships in the harbor were 
being fitted out as if for a voyage. Of course 
the American commander could only guess at 
their intentions, but had good reason to fear 
that New York would be the aim of the enemy ; 
and that city was the great headquarters of the 
Tories, as those Americans were called who still 
adhered to the king's side. Their lodgment 



88 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

there was to be prevented if possible, so Gen. 
Lee was dispatched to New York with instruc- 
tions to General Schuyler, calling on him to lose 
no time in raising men in New York, New Jer- 
sey, and Connecticut, who were to be marshalled 
for the defence of the city. 

The importance of this point was very great, 
because it commanded the Hudson Eiver, by 
which direct communication could be had with 
Canada and the northern provinces. But this 
time they were mistaken in the designs of the 
enemy, who soon sailed out of Boston harbor 
with several regiments of troops, under General 
Clinton, and went to North Carolina, intending 
to surprise and take possession of that province. 

"WTiile Washington was busy in providing for 
the defence of New York, a request was sent 
from Canada for more troops to be sent there, 
with the sad news of the death of the brave 
Gen. Montgomery, and the repulse at Quebec. 

If ever discouragement was warranted and 
excusable it Avould have been now, for the sup- 
ply of men was far too small for the present 
calls, and it seemed impossible to spare any 
either from New York or Boston, while the num- 
ber of arms was not sufficient to give each man 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 89 

a gun, even by borrowing, buying, and begging 
every rusty firelock in the land. Yet there was 
no hesitation on the part of Washington. He 
felt the awful importance of the effort they were 
making, and there was no time for faint-hearted- 
ness. 

An attack on Boston was now determined on 
by the American commander, and with a view 
to this end Dorchester Heights were fortified, by 
which the command of the harbor was secured, 
while Washington prepared to assault the town 
from the other side at the same time. His se- 
cret desire, however, was to compel the British 
to evacuate the city, which they were permitted 
to do without molestation, having promised on 
these conditions not to burn the town or injure 
the inhabitants. On the 17th of March, 1776, 
they embarked on board their remaining ships, 
and sailed away to HaHfax, leaving General 
Putnam to take quiet possession of the city. 
This enabled Washington to spare a large por- 
tion of the troops at Boston for other places, 
and a considerable number were at once sent to 
New York, which was the largest and most im- 
portant city, while several regiments were de- 
spatched to Canada. 

8* 



90 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Washington himself went down to inspect 
the defences of New York, and devise new ones, 
and afterward proceeded to Philadelphia to 
meet the Congress there. 

He was now well satisfied that there could be 
no reconciliation with the English Government, 
and that nothing short of independence was 
worth the attention of Congress ; but a few 
timid members urged the propriety of waiting 
a little longer for the arrival of proposals, which 
it was said were even then on their way across 
the ocean. 

After expressing his views in the most decided 
manner, Washington hastened back to New 
York to carry out his plans and preparations 
for defence ; and his presence was highly neces- 
sary, not only because of the foreign foe which 
was expected soon to arrive in the harbor, but 
on account of the active Tories, who, with Gov. 
Tryon at their head, were devising every pos- 
sible means for the injury and defeat of the 
patriot cause. 

A secret plot was discovered, whose object 
w^as the capture of Washington, with other 
similar atrocious acts, while their agents were 
detected in enticing away American soldiers 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 91 

from the camps. Prompt measures were 
adopted for suppressing tile mischief, and 
several of the ringleaders were imprisoned. 

On the 28th of June the expected fleet of 
the enemy arrived in New York harbor, and 
General Howe made his headquarters on Staten 
Island. 

Such was the state of affairs when, on the 
4th of July, that day ever to be memorable in 
the history of our country, the Declaration of 
Independence was issued from the Continental 
Congress, at Philadelphia. 

As soon as it was received at the headquar- 
ters, "Washington ordered the whole body of 
troops to be paraded, and had the document 
read aloud. • At the conclusion a shout of joy 
went up from the united band, and the orders 
of the Commander-in-chief were read also — 
, concluding with these emphatic words : " The 
General hopes that this important event will 
serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and 
soldier to act with fidelity and courage, as 
knowing that now the peace and safety of his 
country depend, imder God, solely on the suc- 
cess of our arms, and that he is now in the 
service of a State possessed of sufficient power 



92 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

to reward his merit, and advance him to the 
highest honors of a free country." 

From this time the word "colonies" was 
dropped, and the name and title of the " United 
States of America" became the proud boast of 
patriots. 

About the middle of July, Lord Howe, brother 
of the British general, arrived with the expected 
offers from the crown ; but they consisted mere- 
ly in a promise o'f pardon to those who would 
return to their allegiance, without a word in re- 
gard to the grievances complained of. Of 
course it was quite too late to listen to any prop- 
ositions of this kind, for the watchword had 
gone forth — "Independence — now and for- 
ever." 

General Howe's army amounted at this time 
to twenty-four thousand men, with ships, guns, 
and military stores enough to make a formidable 
display. General Washington had altogether 
about twenty thousand men, but no ships, poor 
arms, and few military equipments or stores. 
There were few tents, and this was the sickly 
season of August, so that a considerable number 
were unfit for service ; besides this, the men 
were scattered over a space of fifteen miles, the 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 93 

enemy being still concentrated on Staten Island, 
opposite the city. 

At this time, to increase the difficulties of 
their situation, symptoms of jealousy appeared 
amongst the American soldiers, which called 
forth the earnest persuasions of the commander. 
In one of the daily orders he thus addressed 
them : " The general most earnestly entreats 
the officers and soldiers to consider the conse- 
quences ; that they can in no way assist our 
enemies more effectually than by making divi- 
sions among ourselves ; that the honor and suc- 
cess of the army, and the safety of our bleeding 
country, depend upon harmony and good agree- 
ment with each other; that the provinces are 
all united to oppose the common enemy, and all 
distinctions sunk in the name of an American. 
To make this name honorable, and to preserve 
the liberty 6i our country, ought to be our only 
emulation ; and he will be the best soldier and 
the best patriot who contributes most to this 
glorious work, whatever his station, or from what- 
ever part of the continent he may come. Let 
all distinctions of nations, countries, and prov- 
inces, therefore, be lost in the generous contest 
who shall behave with the most courage against 



94 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

the enemy, and tlie most kindness and good- 
humor to each other." 

By this we plainly perceive that Washington 
did not believe in the doctrine of " States' rights" 
when the interests of the Union were at stake. 

They were now expecting an attack from the 
British, and as the latter had ships which could 
convey them to any point desired, it was neces- 
sary to keep every exposed quarter guarded, not 
knowing where they would strike. But at length 
they were seen landing on Long Island, where 
"Washington had already erected fortifications 
at Brooklyn, and placed there a detachment of 
militia under General Putnam. 

On the 27th of August there was a battle, in 
which the American troops, five thousand in 
number, under General Putnam, Lord Stirling, 
and General Sullivan, were overpowered by the 
enemy, fifteen thousand strong, who attacked 
them in the rear, being led by Lord Cornwallis, 
.Lord Percy, and General Clinton. After a brave 
resistance they were obliged to surrender, hav- 
ing sustained a heavy loss, with two of their 
generals, Stirling and Sullivan, taken prisoners. 

A council of war was held after the battle, and 
it was determined to withdraw all the American 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. " 95 

troops from Long Island, lest tliey should be cut 
off fi'om tlie mainland by the fleet of ships an- 
chored near by. This retreat was successfully 
accomplished after midnight on the 29th; the 
whole army of nine thousand men, with the 
military stores and artillery, were conveyed 
across the East Kiver m small boats, with such 
secrecy that the enemy knew nothing of the 
movement until the last one had reached the 
New York side. This was one of the greatest 
feats recorded in history, and showed the won- 
derful skill and daring of the great commander. 

It soon became evident that General Howe 
had laid his plans to take New York, for his 
ships were surrounding the city, and troops had 
abeady begun to land. In this emergency, 
"Washington determined to evacuate the city, 
knowing well that it was useless to waste the 
lives of his men by waiting until the bombard- 
ment should commence ; they were therefore 
collected on Harlem Heights, and Washington's 
headquarters were fixed at Morris's house, near 
Fort Washington. 

It was not long before General Howe took 
possession of the city, encamping himself near 
the American lines. Some skirmishing took 



96 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



place on the neighboring plains with varied suc- 
cess, but the strongly fortified works on Harlem 
Heights, which extended entirely across Man- 
hattan Island to the Hudson River, were not 
likely to be attacked even by the greater forces 
of the toasting British ; so they remained 
quietly encamped for nearly three weeks, while 
the Americans were busily employed in strength- 
ening their works, and building another fort 
which they named Fort Independence. 




LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 97 



CHAPTEE X. 

Discouraging events in Canada — Benedict Arnold — Unsuc- 
cessful attacks on Quebec— Canada abandoned— General 
Lee sent to manage affairs in the South— Sii* Hemy Clinton 
defeated, and obliged to return— Attempts to destroy 
British shipping — Fresh arrivals of British ships and 
troops — Washington still hopeful — Advances of the 
English — Loss of Fort Washington. 

While the events of the last six months, re- 
lated in the two preceding chapters, were taking 
place in the middle districts, difficulties, dis- 
couragements, and actual reverses were occurring 
in Canada, where the patriot forces were small, 
and the severe winter had added to the hard- 
ships of the situation. 

For five months Benedict Arnold, who was 
now brigadier-general, had blockaded the city 
of Quebec, in hopes of driving the British within 
its walls to surrender. Ever since the failure of 
the previous attack on the city, the Canadians 
had stood aloof from the cause, and remained 
sullenly inside without taking any part in the 
siege. Arnold had been badly wounded in the 
former attack, and had not yet recovered 'from 



98 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

its effects ; but he was a brave man, and tlms 
far liis name was among tbe proudest of his age. 
Alas, that his after deeds should have so dis- 
graced it ! 

In April and May re-enforcements arrived un- 
der Generals W(3oster and Thomas, and grave 
preparations were made for another attack ; but 
that also failed, and they were obhged to retreat 
and hurry away, losing in their hasty flight 
nearly all their arms, powder, and provisions, 
the sick being left in the houses of the Cana- 
dians by the way. 

Much censure was laid on General Schuyler 
for these disasters, but Washington, who knew 
well his integrity and pure patriotism, would 
not listen to a word, either against his fidelity 
or ability. An investigation was insisted on by 
the injured man himself, and, after a close 
examination into all his actions, the committee 
were well satisfied that he was not to blame for 
any of the reverses of the campaign. 

But the disasters continued, and the unfortu- 
nate garrison was moved from place to place, 
in hopes of better chances for operations against 
the enemy. The small-pox carried off many of 
the men, and among them General Thomas, who 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 99 

was then in command. It was finally deter- 
mined to abandon all further attempts to hold 
Canada, since the strong re-enforcement of the 
British, under Burgoyne, made it still more im- 
possible to revive the spirits of the discouraged 
men, and on the 20th of June, 1776, the Ameri- 
can forces were withdrawn, and eml arked for 
Crown Point, leaving Canada thenceforward in 
possession of the British. It was a heavy dis- 
appointment to "Washington,- who had always 
looked on the occupation of Canada as very im- 
portant to the American cause, but the necessi- 
ties of the case admitted of no choice. 

General Gage, who had commanded at the 
time of the evacuation of Boston, had gone 
home to England, where his mismanagement of 
that affair was much censui'ed, and General 
Howe took his place as supreme commander of 
tlie British troops in America. As we have be- 
fore mentioned, the latter had sent an expedi- 
tion to the South about that time, intending to 
make a descent on the Carolinas. "Washington, 
therefore, being constantly on the alert for new 
difficulties, had sent General Lee down to 
manage affairs in that quarter. This he did to 
excellent j)urpose — following up the enemy's 



100 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

ships until they finally reached Charleston, 
where a strong fort had been erected on Sulli- 
van's Island, commanding the harbor. This 
fort was garrisoned by three hundred and sev- 
enty-five soldiers, under Colonel William Moul- 
trie, of South Carolina, who had superintended 
its construction. 

When Sir Henry Clinton arrived with his 
fleet, instead of running past this, and entering 
the unprotected city, he stopped to erect bat- 
teries on another island near by, and was four 
weeks preparing to make the attack. On the 
28th of June the firing began from the enemy's 
batteries, while the fleet advanced, and dropped 
anchor before the fort. 

From eleven o'clock until sunset the firing 
was continued — the British making several un- 
successful attempts to land, but were driven 
back by the teiTible fii^e from the fort and water 
batteries. The coui'age and perseverance shown 
by the Americans were highly praised by Con- 
gress, and the enemy's loss was heavy ; one of 
their finest ships was set on fire and abandoned, 
and, finally, the remainder of the fleet set sail, 
and left the scene of their signal defeat, leaving 
Charleston untouched. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 101 

But to return to New York, where the Ameri- 
cans were fortifying the Harlem Heights, keep- 
ing a close watch upon the enemy, who were in 
possession of the city, and encampied on the 
plains below. A part of the fleet had gone up 
the Hudson, some of the ships were before the 
city, and others guarded the East Eiver front 
and the enemy's quarters on Staten and Long 
Island. 

To destroy the shipping had long been the 
desire of some active minds, and several plans 
were proposed for sending fire-ships, among the 
fleet, while an attack at the same moment was 
to be made on land, but for various reasons the 
plans did not succeed, and very soon after the 
fleet was increased by the arrival of one hun- 
dred ships, with a large body of fresh troops, 
including a thousand Hessians, all of whom 
were landed on Staten Island ; and other ships, 
with more Hessians, were constantly arrivlLg 
to swell the formidable array of insurgents. At 
this time, also, the ships of Sir Henry Clinton's 
squadron had arrived from the late repulse at 
Charleston, bringing Lord Cornwallis and three 
thousand men. 

No wonder if Washington's heart failed at 



102 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

the presence of this great army of thirty thou- 
sand men, with one hundred and fifty ships, and 
many guns, while his own amounted in all to 
only seventeen thousand, many of whom were 
on the sick Kst, and were distributed over a wide 
space. But he did not pause to feel discour- 
aged, but continued his defences, and watched 
the enemy's movements, although utterly at a 
loss to account for their long inactivity. At 
last they moved, and their aim was soon dis- 
covered ; they wished to get in the rear of the 
Americans, so as to cut off their communication, 
with the surrounding country, and perhaps 
bring on a general battle, in which their greater 
numbers would insure a victory. 

The first step taken by General Howe was to 
send two ships, a frigate and tender, up the 
Hudson to the Highlands, thus cutting off sup- 
plies by water; then, on the 12th of October, 
troops were embarked on flat-boats and other 
vessels, and proceeded up the East Biver to 
Frog's Point, while five thousand troops w^ere 
left at the encampment near Harlem, under 
Lord Percy. 

But "Washington's quick mind resolved on a 
measure which should counteract these designs, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 103 

and he retreated in good time to "WTiite Plains, 
where he at once began to fortify himself, with 
the intention of making a stand there. 

This had been done but a few days, when, on 
the 28th of October, General Howe's army was 
seen advancing steadily upon the American lines 
An attack was made on a part of the works, 
which resulted in driving the Americans away, 
and this served to satisfy their ambition for the 
present, as they did not renew the attack, al- 
though they had evidently intended to do so, 
but for a heavy raiu, which gave Washington 
time to better his position and enlarge his works. 

But it was soon seen that General Howe had 
changed his plans, and was marching his army 
in the direction of Fort Washington, which was 
plainly to be the next point of their attack. The 
far-seeing wisdom of the American commands 
advised General Greene, who was in charge, to 
abandon it without waiting for an attack by 
such superior forces ; but Greene thought other- 
wise, and tried to believe his men safe and the 
fort impregnable, until after a severe fight he 
was forced to yield his opinion, and surrender 
the works with all his troops to the enemy. 

This was not done, however, until they had 



104 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



sustained tlie enemy's fire for four or five hours, 
and found that further resistance would be use- 
less, when Colonel Magan, who was in command 
of the fort, surrendered liimseK and twenty- 
eight hundred men to the merciless enemy. 




LITE OF WASHINGTON. 105 



CHAPTEE XI. 

Opposing views of the generals — Washington not discoui*- 
aged — Eeti'eat into Jersey — March toward the Delaware 
River — Corawallis in pursuit — Miserable condition of our 
army — Strange delay of General Lee — Washington crosses 
the Delaware before the enemy reach it — They are unable 
to follow — General Lee taken prisoner — Gloom and de- 
spondency throughout the country — Washington plans an 
attack on Trenton — Recrosses the Delaware — Surprise of 
the Hessians — Victory for the Americans — Partial failure 
of a part of the plan — Cadwalader crosses at Burlington 
— Pursuit of the Hessians. 

The loss of Fort Wasliington, with so many 
troops, and a considerable amount of artillery 
and other arms, was very heavy, and the Com- 
mander-in-chief must have been fuU of gloomy 
forebodings as to the future. 

His opinion was often opposed by other gen- 
erals, who had plans of their own, and this was 
shown whenever a council of war was held to 
consult about any fresh movement. 

In this way the unhappy affair of Fort Wash- 
ington took place, and it is said that he wept 
like a child to see his men cut down without 



106 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

mercy by tlie Hessian bayonets while tliey were 
begging for quarter. 

Wasliington's letters to bis brother at this 
time show how many and great were his fears and 
discouragements. Most of his men had been 
enhsted for short terms of service, and these 
were about to expire, but he could not induce 
them to re-enhst ; besides the active duties of 
the campaign, therefore, he was obHged to be 
constantly recruiting; and this, in the face of 
such discouraging prospects, was hard work 
indeed. 

Yet the great mind of "Washing-ton was still 
TLQwavering in its fidehty to the cause, and, 
placing his dependence, not in man, but in the 
God in whom he beHeved and trusted, he 
strained every nerve and pushed onward. 

Of course, now that Fort "Washington was 
gone, Fort Lee, on the opposite side of the 
river, was useless for all purposes of defence, 
and he now ordered the removal of all the 
stores and ammunition, with a view to a retreat 
into Jersey. This was begim, and nearly ac- 
complished on the night of the 19th of Novem- 
ber, but on the following morning, before they 
were entii-ely removed, the enemy began to 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 107 

cross the river in two Imndred boats, and by 
ten o'clock, six thousand men, with their artil- 
lery, were landed within a few miles of the fort, 
under those lofty perpendicular rocks known as 
the PaHsades. 

In their present condition, with most of their 
arms and ammunition gone, retreat was the only 
thing to be thought of, and no time was to be 
lost, for, if possible, they must reach the Hack- 
ensack River in time to cross it before the 
enemy should get there. So, leaving theh tents, 
wagons, and baggage behind, they hurried on, 
and arrived at the bridge just as the advance 
of the enemy came up. In their eagerness to 
escape capture, some swam over, and others 
crowded across the bridge. But it was, of 
course, idle to think of tarrying here until Corn- 
wallis's forces should assemble, as they were in 
a flat country, where intrenchments would be 
needed, and yet were without the tools for 
making them ; besides this, they were in a posi- 
tion where the British ships could land troops 
at any moment within a few miles of them. 
General Washington therefore contiiiuedhis re- 
treat toward the Dela^.vare Eiver, writing letters 
as he went along to CongTess and the Governor 



108 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

of Jersey, begging most earnestly for more men 
to be sent to join him without delay. 

At this time the army under his immediate 
command amounted to little more than three 
thousand men, and they were closely pursued 
by Lord Cornwallis, with at least six thousand. 
But all his appeals for more men seemed to be 
in vain ; his cause was not very popular, and 
the Jersey farmers, seeing his mere handful of 
soldiers, without blankets or shelter, and many 
of them barefooted also, in that wintry Decem- 
ber weather, marching along before a pursuing 
enemy, thought the cause was altogether hope- 
less, and could not be persuaded to leave their 
comfortable homes to enlist in such a doubtful 
enter2:)rise. Besides all this, their own homes 
were in danger from the hordes of British and 
Hessian soldiers, and their families needed pro- 
tection. 

While Washington was leading his little army 
toward the Delaware, General Lee was tarrying 
in the neighborhood of the Hudson Biver, 
hoping to effect something in that quarter which 
might redound to his own credit, although his 
commander had repeatedly urged him to hasten 
on with re-enforcements. Perhaps General 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 109^ 

Lee was growing jealous of his superior, and. 
longed to accomplish something for himseK 
which would raise him above Washington, in 
the good opinion of the country. It was an- 
other discouraging event in "Washington's diffi- 
cult course, and he learned accidentally, from an. 
intercepted letter, what were Lee's real feelings, 
toward himself. 

But, pressing forward, he reached Trenton on 
the 2d of December. On the 4th General Lee- 
crossed the Hudson, and began to move slowly 
after Washington — being no longer able to- 
withstand his direct and urgent orders. 

This retreat of the Americans across the 
Jerseys (as they were always called at that 
time), was a work of necessity ; upon receiving 
a moderate re-enforcement, therefore, from 
Pennsylvania, Washington turned back to 
Princeton, intending to join Lord Stirling and 
General Greene, who were there with three 
thousand men ; and here they would make a 
stand, if necessary. 

But hardly had he reached there when the 

enemy was found to be approaching Princeton 

in tremendous force, and well knowing that 

thejP would soon be surrounded and over- 

10 



110 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

powered, Washington hastened back to Trenton, 
with the whole of the American troops, and, 
collecting every boat that could be had on such 
short notice, they crossed the Delaware in safety, 
and reached the opposite shore just as Lord 
Comwallis, with his great army, anived at the 
river's bank. Of course, the boats were all on 
the other side of the stream, and so could not 
avail the British much, and the floating ice 
made the crossing extremely difficult and dan- 
gerous, even with boats ; their passage was, 
therefore, effectually stopped until the ice 
should become strong enough to admit of their 
marching over. 

His troops, principally Hessians, in the mean 
iime, were stationed at various points along the 
river, viz., at Trenton, Pennington, Bordentown, 
and Burlington, while a large force was kept en- 
camped at Brunswick. 

"Washington's greatest anxiety now was to 
hasten Lee's movements, who was marching 
very slowly along, having been three weeks 
travelling as far as Morristown. He was still 
hoping to make some bold stroke in that quar- 
ter as soon as New York was entirely free 
from British troops, and, although bouild to 



ili'itiiiiiSiiis 



ilil; 





LIFE OF WASHINGTON. Ill 

obey tlie orders of his Commander-in-chief, lie 
was desirous of winning glory for himself, be 
the consequences what they might to Washing-, 
ton. 

"WTiatever were his intentions, however, they 
were unexpectedly interrupted ; for one night, 
while stopping at a private house near Basldng- 
ridge, a Tory in the neighborhood betrayed him 
to the enemy, and early in the morning, before 
he had finished his breakfast, he was taken 
prisoner by a company of British dragoons and 
carried away in triumph to their camp. This 
was a severe blow to the American cause, and 
gave great occasion for rejoicing among the 
Britishers, for they considered Lee as at that 
time the greatest American general. 

Immediately after his capture. General Sul- 
livan, who succeeded to the command, marched 
his men rapidly toward the Delaware, and 
reached Washington's camp on the 20th of De- 
cember. They were barefooted, haM clothed, 
worn out, and discouraged when they arrived, 
seeming to care for nothmg so much as to get 
home, and many of them Avhose terms were 
soon to expire did leave very soon. 

About this time a proclamation was made by 



112 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Lord Howe and his brother, General Howe, 
offering pardon to all " rebels" who would lay 
down their arms and return to their allegiance. 
In this hour of discouragement many of those 
who had till now stood by the cause accepted the 
offer and went over to the enemy, while others 
took the oath and went quietly home, refusing 
to fight on either side. All over the country 
was a feeling of gloom and despondency. 

" These were the times that tried men's 
souls," says one who wrote of those days, and 
Washington had surely enough to crush him ; 
yet he faltered not, but while for three weeks 
the enemy remained upon the east side of the 
Delaware, scattered over a broad space and 
taking their ease, he was meditating a move- 
ment by which he hoped to retrieve in part the 
misfortunes of the year. 

His plan was to cross the river in three de- 
tachments at as many different points, and sur- 
prise the Hessians in their quarters. Jt was. a 
bold movement, and if it failed all might be 
lost ; but the emergency was great. 

The 25th of December was fixed on for the exe- 
cution of the plan : Washington and twenty-five 
hundi'ed men were to cross at McKonkey's ferry 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 113 

(now called Tajlorsville) ; General Ewing with 
another body at a point just below Trenton ; 
and General Putnam, with the troops from Phil- 
adelphia, near Burhngton : thus all would be 
ready to strike at once on the morning of the 
26th. Cliristmas night was chosen because, 
being a hohday, they hoped to find the enemy 
off their guard. 

The eventful night came, and Washiugton 
with his men began to cross the river amid the 
greatest difficulties, the weather being intensely 
cold, the wind high, and a blindmg snow-storm 
filling the air, while the strong current and the 
moving masses of ice made the passage perilous 
in the extreme. Two of the men were frozen to 
death before morning, and all were benumbed 
with the bitter cold ; yet, standing in the front 
of the boat, with his cloak wrapped around him, 
and liis eye intently fixed on the opposite shore, 
Washington cheered on his men until they 
landed with the artillery and muskets, the latter 
being much damaged by the storm. 

They had now nine miles to march before 
they could reach the enemy at Trenton; but. 
they pushed on, and by eight o'clock arrived at 
the entrance of the town. A man whom they 



114 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

met gladly directed them to the Hessian quar- 
ters, wishing them success in their mission. 

The troops had been divided so as to enter 
the town at the same time by three different 
roads, while the other forces under General 
Ewing were to occupy the bridge across the 
Assunpink, at the lower end of the town, and 
intercept them there. Such was Washington's 
plan, and he led his men forward in the midst 
of the pelting storm until they surrounded the 
enemy's camp. A scene of great confusion en- 
sued, and a short fight, when the Hessians were 
put to flight, leaving their artillery behind them. 
Some of them ran southwardly and escaped 
over the bridge, and others started toward 
Princeton, but were soon stopped by a body of 
Americans whom Washington had sent to meet 
them. But their resistance was short, and their 
commander. Colonel Eahl, soon fell from his 
horse mortally wounded, while endeavoring to 
restore order among his men ; they therefore 
surrendered themselves, with their valuable 
arms. 

The wounded Colonel Eahl received every 
attention from the American commander, who 
.had him conveyed to his own quarters, where 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 115 

he was cared for until lie died, a few days after- 
ward. 

Nearly a thousand prisoners were taken in 
this affair, while the additions to their stock of 
arms and ammunition found in the Hessian 
quarters was a great gain. Had the other 
branches of the enterprise succeeded as well, 
the Jerseys would have been well-nigh rid of 
the invaders, who were now in possession of the 
greater part of the State. But General Ewing 
had been unable to effect a crossing on account 
of the condition of the river, and the impossi- 
bility to draw the heavy cannon up the slippery 
bank, and thus for want of their help at the 
bridge a large number of the retreating Hes- 
sians escaped to Bordentown. 

At Burlington, too, the crossing failed, and 
thus the full triumph of the scheme was want- 
ing. Had all gone well, Washington would 
have remained at Trenton, but his force was too 
small to attempt holding the town, in case the 
enemy, now roused to activity, should return 
and concentrate for an attack. He had only 
twenty-four hundred raw troops, while the en- 
emy had some ten thousand disciplined ones, 
with horsemen and wagons, so he determined 



116 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

to recross the Delaware with his prisoners and 
captured artillery. This was accomplished T^dth 
difficulty, and the prisoners marched to New- 
town, about ten miles back from the river, where 
they were quartered in the church and jail until 
they could be moved further. 

The people, who had so often heard of the 
terrible Hessians that had come over to fight 
for the English, flocked to see them, supposing, 
perhaps, that they looked different from other 
people ; and this was done wherever they were 
taken, until they finally reached "Winchester, in 
Virginia, where they were to remain. These 
were the same Hessians that had taken part in 
the battles at White Plains and Fort Washing- 
ton, and they were, of course, sorely mortified 
to find the tables turned on them so soon ; but 
such are the fortunes of war. 

General Putnam, who was in command at 
Bristol, opposite Burlington, had been sum- 
moned to Philadelphia by news of a threatened 
insurrection, leaving General Cadwalader to 
lead the troops across the Delaware on the 
night of the 25th. This he was unable to do, 
as we have said ; but on the following morning 
he heard the cannonading at Trenton, and the 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 117 

sound aroused him to fresh efforts. Before 
noon came the reports of Washington's suc- 
cess, and he now determined to make another 
attempt, in order to strike, if possible, the camp 
of Count Donop, who commanded the Hessian 
forcesiat Burlington. 

Cadwalader had laid all his plans with judg- 
ment, and hj way of diverting the enemy while 
the crossing was accomplished. Colonel Griffin 
had undertaken to draw him off in the direction 
of Mount Holly, where he was to keep him en- 
gaged in skirmishing until the forces from the 
other side could be landed. But that was to be 
done on the 25th : and, as it was now afternoon 
of the next day, the fear was that the Count 
had by this time returned with his army, and 
would be in readiness to receive them as they 
crossed. Still, Cadwalader determined to make 
the desperate attempt, supposing "Washington 
to be still at Trenton, where he could join him 
by the Jersey side. 

The river being much wider here than above, 
and in no better condition as regarded the ice, 
he had the greatest difficulty in effecting a pas- 
sage, although he did finally succeed; but it 
was noon of the 27th when the last boat reached 



118 LIFE OP WASHINGTON. 

the Jersey shore, bringing also the news that 
"Washington had returned to Pennsylvania. This' 
seemed most unfortunate, but they must make 
the best of it ; and, consulting with Colonel Reed,; 
they resolved to look around them before adopt- 
ing any further plan of proceeding. # 

The enemy was nowhere in sight ; and they 
soon learned from the country-people that Count 
Donop, having heard of the disaster at Trenton, 
aaid believing that they were to be pursued by 
a powerful body of Americans, had collected his 
men in great haste, and left in a terrible panic 
during the night before. Of course, Cadwal- 
ader lost no time in sending the news to General 
Washington, urging him to recross at Trenton, 
w^hither all his own men should be marched at 
once to join their Commander-in-chief. 

Had they possessed the means of despatch-i 
ing information quickly, such as we have in' 
these times, these painful crossings and marches 
might many of them have been saved. In esti- 
mating, therefore, the great deeds of that Httle 
army and its wise commanders, we must re- 
member all these disadvantages, and then we 
can better judge of their wonderful courage and 
perseverance. On many of those weary marches 



LIFE OP WASHINGTON. 



119 



over the" frozen ground, tlie barefooted men left 
bloody tracks in the snow for miles ; and yet all 
that was borne for the purchase of our fi'eedom. 
Can we ever prize too highly the glorious in- 
heritance that cost our fathers so much ! 




120 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTEK XII. 

"Washington joins in the pursuit — Short enlistments — Dif- 
ficulty in getting money — Important captures — Effect of 
Washington's movements on Lord Cornwallis — The 
former retreats again to Trenton — Meets the enemy at 
the bridge — Cornwallis waits for the morrow — Washing- 
ton's strateg}'^ — Comwallis's pursuit — Battle at. Stony 
Brook — Washington encamps for the winter at Moms- 
town. 

On the 28tli of December Colonel Keed 
reached Trenton, and had as yet found no 
traces of the Hessians ; they had evidently 
continued their flight toward Amboy. Cad- 
walader was coming on with eighteen hundred 
men, and five hundred more were coming from 
Philadelphia to join him. 

General Washington, who had received Cad- 
walader's letters and approved of his advice, 
immediately prepared to cross the river, and 
on the 29th and two following days the whole 
force was with much difficulty landed once 
more and marched into Trenton. 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 121 

Pursuit was now the order of the day, and 
although in their present condition, with the 
weather very severe, a long march was not a 
pleasant prospect ; jet the men were so much 
encouraged by their late success, and so glad 
to have the opportunity of following the enemy, 
that they started gladly on the track, and the 
advance soon began to capture a few straggling 
remnants of the retreating Hessians. 

But one of the greatest drawbacks to the 
further success of the cause was the system 
of enlisting men for very short terms of service, 
and now, as it had often happened before, just 
as they were ready to start in pursuit the pres- 
ent term of many of the men was about to 
expire. Wasliington therefore was forced to 
plead with them to continue for six weeks 
longer, promising on his own responsibility to 
pay to each man a bounty of ten dollars in coin. 
Of course the money was to be paid at once, 
and he wrote to Eobert Morris at Philadelphia, 
begging him to send at least one hundred 
pounds for this purpose. But gold was very 
scarce, and Congress was sitting at Baltimore, 
whither it had adjourned for safety soon after 
"Washington's first crossing of the Delaware ; 
11 



122 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

besides, the public treasury had long been 
empty. A wealthy citizen, however, loaned the 
money, and it was forwarded to Trenton on the 
30th, thus enabling the Commander to make 
good his promises and secure a large part of 
his men for a little longer period. 

A day or two were required for rest and prep- 
aration, which brought them to the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1777. But these days did not pass idly, 
for a small detachment of horsemen belonging 
to the Philadelphia troops, under Colonel Eeed, 
were engaged in scouring the country around, 
and had succeeded in capturing, at a private 
house near Princeton, twelve British dragoons, 
with whom they returned in triumph to Wash- 
ington's headquarters. From them they ob- 
tained important information, which for the 
present materially altered their plans. 

General Howe had been for some time in 
snug winter-quarters in New York, and Lord 
Cornwallis, thinking he had put the Yankees 
down pretty effectually, was just starting on a 
trip to England when the news of Washington's 
attack on Trenton reached them. They had 
be6n quietly waiting all this time for the Dela- 
ware to freeze over, so that they could cross 



• LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 123 

and renew their triumplial march toward Phil- 
adelphia. It must have surprised them very 
much to find that the river had not been such a 
barrier to the American movements. 

But now that they heard the mortifying news, 
General Howe sent for Lord Cornwallis, and 
ordered him to proceed at once into Jersey and 
diive out the impudent Yankees who had so 
frightened his Hessian fidends. The twelve 
dragoons taken by Colonel Keed and his men 
were the advance-guard of the great army that 
was then on its way to Trenton, and the main 
body was within a few miles. Besides these. 
General Howe himself was said to be on the 
road from Amboy with a thousand cavalry. All 
this information was obtained from the prison- 
ers, and, of course, changed the plans for a 
march into the more prudent determination to 
stay and defend themselves here. 

Choosing the stone bridge over the Assun- 
pink, . the same one that the Hessians had 
crossed in their flight some ten days before, 
"Washington stationed his artillery so as to 
guard it, the main body of his troops occupying 
the high ground near by. 

It was about sunset on the 2d of January, 



124 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

when Cornwallis, at tlie head of his army, actu- 
ally entered the town and attempted to force 
his way across the bridge ; but the American 
cannons were used so advantageously that they 
were repulsed several times, a loud cheer rising 
from the patriot Knes as the enemy were obliged 
to withdraw. But, although unable to cross 
that night, the British lit their camp-fires be- 
side the stream, in the confident assurance that 
in the morning they would drive their despised 
foe from the face of the country. 

A terrible battle was expected the next day, 
and Washington's heart must have sunk within 
him as he thought of the difi'erence in the num- 
bers of the two armies ; utter ruin seemed at 
hand. As he walked about the camp and re- 
alized the desperate position of affairs, he strove 
to think of some expedient, for, of the many 
dark periods through which they had thus far 
passed, this one seemed the darkest and most 
disheartening. There they were, the two camps 
in sight of each other's fires, with only the nar- 
row stream between them, awaiting daylight to 
engage in a bloody battle ; no chance of escape 
by the half-frozen river, and perhaps still less 
by the roads leading out of the town, which 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 125 

were doubtless infested by the enemy's re- 
enforcements. 

But there was not a moment to spare ; lie 
therefore called a council of war, and proposed 
a secret march toward Princeton, rather than 
stay to encounter certain destruction in the 
morning. This plan met with the approval of 
General Mercer and the others, and with all 
haste, in the stillness of the night, the prepara- 
tions were made and the troops started on the 
march along the bank of the creek to Priaceton. 
Meanwhile the camp-fires were kept burning 
all night, the guard remained on duty at the 
bridge, and men were kept digging intrench- 
ments in a noisy way, so as to prevent all sus- 
picion of the real movements of the Americans. 
The chief part of their baggage was sent off to 
Burhngton to avoid hindrance on their march, 
and at daybreak the remaining troops were to 
hurry on to join the main body. 

"When they reached Stony Brook, on the out- 
skirts of Princeton, the sun was just rising, and 
they soon found that three regiments of British 
troops were stationed there ready to display 
their valor : one of them was just startuig for 
Trenton, where it was ordered to re-enforce 
11* 



126 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Lord Cornwallis. Washington had led his men 
into a wood by the roadside, where they were 
first seen by these advancing troops commanded 
by Colonel Mawhood. 

A severe conflict ensued, in which the British 
at first seemed to be triumphant, and the gal- 
lant General Mercer fell, mortally wounded ; 
but soon the Americans gained ground, cheered 
on by the voice of the Commander-in-chief, who 
rode fearlessly up and down directing all their 
movements. The British were fairly beaten, 
and Mawhood with his men began their retreat 
toward Trenton, where he hoped to join Com- 
walHs. In this short battle the enemy's loss 
was one hundred killed and three hundred 
prisoners, while the Americans lost twenty-five 
or thirty men and a few officers. Among the 
latter, however, were the brave General Mercer 
and Colonel Haslet, both greatly lamented. 

Washington now followed on after that part 
of the retreating foe which had gone toward 
New Brunswick, hoping to overtake them and 
capture their stores ; but his men were too much 
exliausted to proceed so far, and he therefore 
changed his course toward Morristown, resting 
for awhile at Pluckamin on the road. Here 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 127 

his worn-out army was allowed a night's repose 
after its arduous labors and long marches. 

This was a providential move for the Ameri- 
cans, for Lord Cornwallis, on discovering how 
"Washington had outgeneralled him, had started 
early in the momiag for Bronswick, supposing 
they were close upon the heels of the Yankees, 
untn they reached the place and found them- 
selves again deceived. The great EngHsh sol- 
dier must have begun by this time to reahze the 
spmt of the American army, even if he did not 
quite rehsh their actions. 

As soon as the men were rested they renewed 
the march to Morristown, where they went into 
winter-quarters, not remaining quiet, however, 
but engaged in constant expeditions to harass 
and dislodge the enemy, which succeeded so 
well that before long they had driven from the 
Jerseys every trace of Hessian and British in- 
vaders, excepting at Brunswick and Amboy, 
where they were able to obtain their supphes 
from New York. 

Thus the campaign which opened so disas- 
trously and was pursued under such immense 
difficulties was concluded gloriously, and its 
results inspired the little army with fresh cour- 



128 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



age and confidence in its Commander. Con- 
gress granted him unlimited power in the 
direction of military affairs, being more than 
ever convinced of his worth and ability. 




LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 129 



CHAPTEB XIII. 

British promises broken — Washington's proclamation — 
Small-pox in camp — A hard winter — Exchange of pris- 
oners — British cruelty to our men — General Howe makes 
an expedition up Long Island Sound — Successful counter- 
movement — Arrival of Kosciusko — British diiven out of 
Jersey — Another secret expedition — Philadelphia its sup- 
posed destination — Washington marches to GeiTnantown 
— Arrival of Lafayette — British expedition lands at 
Elkton — Washington hastens to meet them — Battle of 
Brandywine — Return to Germantown — British entrance 
into Philadelphia — Contrast between the two armies. 

As we have said, Lord Howe's proclamation, 
promising pardon and protection to aU who* laid 
down their arms, had kept many of the Jersey- 
men at home who were before on the American 
side. But they had found to their cost how 
little those promises were worth, for the British 
and Hessians, in their repeated passages across 
the State, had plundered and outraged them 
without scruple. They were therefore indig- 
nant at such treatment, and, full of the spirit 
of revenge, resolved once more to take a part 



130 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

in the defence of their soil against these false 
invaders. Companies of militia were formed to 
act as scouting-parties to prevent the ravages 
of the enemy, and their exploits under General 
Philemon Dickinson earned them a good repu- 
tation for bravery. 

On the 25th of January Washington issued a 
proclamation inviting all persons to take the 
oath of allegiance to the United States within 
thirty days, or else to remove within the British 
lines, and all those who refused to comply 
would, after that time, be treated as open ene- 
mies. The measure met with much opposition 
from many quarters ; yet the American Com- 
mander was determined to adhere to it, as it 
was high time that they were rid of the Tories, 
who, while living in their midst, were acting 
altogether in the interests of the enemy. 

While they were in the camp at Morristo^vn, 
the small-pox broke out, and raged fearfully 
among the troops, many of them dying of it. 
Inoculation was therefore resorted to in order 
to prevent its further spread, for our present 
mode of vaccination was not known. That was 
a much more severe method, and required care- 
ful nursing to insure safety. Washington showed 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 131 

the greatest care and attention to liis suffering 
men, visiting the loathsome hospitals himself to 
see that every possible comfort was provided for 
them. Fortunately, during that trying period, 
they were permitted to remain quiet in winter- 
quarters, without any movement of the enemy 
to disturb them. 

The exchange of prisoners had been a sub- 
ject of discussion for some time past between 
the commanders of the two armies, and the 
miserable condition in which the Americans 
were returned to headquarters was a disgrace 
to the British name. Lord Howe did not at- 
tempt to deny that the exchange of man for 
man under these circumstances was unequal, for 
the poor emaciated beings who Avere from time 
to time released from his prisons, looked sadly 
by the side of the healthy Hessians and Britons 
in General "Washington's guard-houses. The 
American captives were placed either in prison- 
ships, or in the vilest and filthiest dungeons, 
where disease was sure to set in, and render 
their sufferings horrible. 

Among the brave men who were languishing 
in the enemy's hands were the unfortunate Gen. 
Lee, and Ethan Allen, of Ticonderoga fame, and 



132 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

many efforts had been made to effect their re- 
lease, but thus far in vain. 

It was past the middle of March when the 
British showed symptoms of moving again, for 
they had been waiting for supplies of artillery 
and troops from England, which, however, were 
slow in coming. In the mean time, Washington 
had been urging upon Congress the necessity of 
a larger army, and had partially succeeded in 
his efforts, but there was so much persuasion 
necessary, and the supplies came so slowly, that 
the prospects for another campaign Avere not 
very encouraging to the Commander-in-chief. 

The first movement of General Howe was an 
expedition up Long Island Sound to Connecti- 
cut, where they destroyed the American stores 
at Danbury, but were driven back to their boats, 
and thus forced to return. In the retreat Gen. 
Wooster and General Arnold were both wounded, 
the former mortally. Another party was sent 
out just before this to destroy other stores at 
PeekskiU, but succeeded rather poorly, although 
these two attempts to cripple the Americans 
served to arouse a more lively military spirit 
both in New York and Connecticut. A counter- 
movement was set on foot by Colonel Meigs, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 133 

wlio attacked tlie British storehotises at Sag 
Harbor, Long Island, and destroyed every thing 
belonging to them on shore, besides burning 
about a dozen vessels and carrying away ninety 
prisoners. This was a great feat, considering 
that he had but one hundred and seventy men, 
with a few whale-bo^ts. They first rowed 
across the Sound, and then carried their boats 
overland to the bay, where they were again 
launched, returning in the same way after the 
fight, the whole being accomplished in twenty- 
five hours. 

Among a number of foreigners who about 
this time came to take part in the cause of 
American Independence was Thaddeus Kos- 
ciusko, a Pole, who was appointed aid-de-camp 
to General Washington, and afterward became 
conspicuous as an ofl&cer of the Kevolution. 
The arrival of twenty-four thousand muskets 
from France was also a great help. 

On the 13th of June the British army moved 
from New Brunswick and prepared for battle, 
spreading along the Earitan Kiver for several 
miles, and fortifying itself as if to invite the 
Americans to make an attack. But General 
"Washington was too wise to wish a battle at 

12 



134 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

this time with his new troops, so after various 
changes of position and several sharp skir- 
mishes, by which he managed to harass the 
British, they at length left Jersey altogether 
and went to Staten Island again. 

News now came that the enemy were fitting 
ont another expedition, and the fleet were evi- 
dently preparing for a blow in some distant 
quarter, although it was impossible even to 
guess where the point of attack would be. 
Another piece of news was, that General Bur- 
goyne with a formidable force was marching on 
Ticonderoga, and at first they could not help 
thinking that this fleet was intended to join him 
by way of the Hudson Eiver and Lake Cham- 
plain. That would be an unfortunate move for 
the Americans, as Washington weU. knew, and 
yet an attack on Philadelphia by the Delaware 
bay and river was quite as much to be dreaded ; 
so they waited in great anxiiety until the fleet 
really put to sea, which convinced General 
Washington that it was bound to the latter 
named place. 

Acting on this belief, his men were marched 
with all speed across Jersey, until they took 
up their quarters at Germantown, six miles 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 135 

beyond Philadelphia, while the Commander- 
in-chief waited, and watched for the approach 
of the fleet. For three days he remained in 
this suspense, but was not idle, being in con- 
stant consultation with Congress, now sitting 
again in its old place. 

It was while waiting here at this time that 
he first met with the Marquis de Lafayette, a 
young Frenchman who had become so much 
interested in American affairs, that he had left 
all his home comforts to cohie and fight for the 
cause of liberty. He was not quite twenty years 
of age, and asked of Congress the privilege of 
serving in the army, at his own expense, as a 
volunteer. Washington at once perceived his 
value and sincerity, and had him rewarded with 
an appointment as Major-General. His after 
services won for him the honor and gratitude of 
all Americans. 

After a few days of harassing uncertainty, the 
fleet was discovered ascending Chesapeake Bay, 
and the troops were finally landed just below 
the head of the Elk Eiver, where Elkton now 
stands. Washington knew that their real inten- 
tion was to attack Philadelphia, and hastening 
to meet them before they could reach the city, 



136 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

he marched his army through the streets, and 
thence to the banks of the Brandywine, near 
Wilmington, Delaware, where they encamped. 
They must have looked differently from our 
modern soldiers, as they went along clothed in 
all sorts of dresses, — many of them in brown 
shirts and tattered pantaloons, with sprigs of 
green in their hats ; but their numbers surprised 
the Tory inhabitants of the city, who had never 
before supposed there was much strength in the 
patriot cause. 

Near the place of their encampment, on the 
11th of September, was fought the bloody battle 
of the Brandywine, in which the British under 
Cornwallis were victorious, and the Americans 
were forced to retreat during the night to Chester, 
having lost nine hundred in killed and wounded, 
and four hundred prisoners. The British loss 
was nearly six hundred in killed and wounded. 

On the following day "Washington continued 
the retreat until they reached Germantown 
again, and encamped there for a day and night, 
in order to rest his wearied army. Having done 
this, he again started on a march up the Lan- 
caster road, determined to risk a battle if they 
should meet with the enemy. When they had 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 137 

gone some twenty miles, the two armies met ; 
but a heavy rain coming on, prevented any ac- 
tion by iTiining the ammunition. The Americans 
had no bayonets, while the British were pro- 
vided with them, and skilled in their use; at 
present, therefore, a safe retreat was the only 
alternative to be thought of. 

These movements of the Americans were in- 
tended for the defence of Philadelphia, and 
Washington still hoped to prevent the enemy 
from reaching it. With a view to this, various 
detachments were sent in different quarters to 
head them off, and although the American army 
was in a desperate condition for Avant of shoes, 
one thousand of the men being actually bare- 
footed, still the marches were made, and the 
enemy's designs frustrated for a few days. But 
on the night of the 22d, General Howe crossed 
the Schuylkill, and pushed forward to Philadel- 
phia, having thrown Washington off his track 
by a pretended movement toward Beading. 
Thus, on the 26th of September, Lord Corn- 
wallis and his grand army, in their scarlet uni- 
forms, with fine horses, artillery, and music, 
entered the city, and marched in triumph 
along the same streets where had so lately 
13* 



138 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

been seen the sliabby-looking troops of the 
patriots. 

As most of the inhabitants, like those of New 
York, were Tories, it is easy to judge of the 
effect produced on them as they compared the 
looks of the two companies, while the greatest 
rejoicings took place in the British camps over 
the capture of this, the capital of the United 
States, from which the Congress had only just 
escaped to Lancaster. One would think that 
now Washington's courage and confidence 
would have failed ; but not so. He only had 
to look around him to the other departments 
of his charge, and try to find encouragement in 
the more prosperous state of affairs in the 
North, where Burgoyne had been trying in vain 
to gain a permanent advantage. 




LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 139 



CHAPTEE XIV. 

Transactions in the Northern Department — British plans 
for ending the rebellion — Burgoyne — St, Leger — General 
Schuyler — St Clair — Scarcity of troops — Capture of Gen- 
eral Prescott — British plans work well — Schuyler not 
discouraged — Battle of Bennington — Arnold's strategy — 
St. Leger's troops driven back — General Gates supersedes 
General Schuyler — Jealous conduct of the former — Bur- 
goyne's position uncomfortable — British fleet ascends the 
Hudson — Defeat of Burgoyne — Sir Heniy Clinton re- 
turns to New York. 

In order to understand what lias been done 
during all this time in the Northern Department, 
we must go back a Httle, 

As we have said, General Washington had 
received news of Burgoyne's advance upon 
Ticonderoga, and had given directions to Gen- 
eral Schuyler, who had charge of that depart- 
ment. 

The British plans for ending the rebelhon 
were quite extensive at this time, and were to 
be carried out with vigor. First, General Bur- 
goyne with his main force was to start from St. 
Johns, on the Sorel Kiver, and proceed to Lake 



140 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

Cliamplain, tlien clown the Hudson Kiver to 
Albany, Secondly, Colonel St. Leger was to 
land at Oswego, on Lake Ontario, and come 
doT\Ti throngli tlie Mohawk Yalley, ravaging it 
in aU directions, until he joined Bnrgoyne at 
Albany. Here it was expected they would 
meet General Howe or Sir Henry Clinton, who 
in the mean time would have accomphshed great 
things in the region around New York, and 
together they hoped soon to finish up the grand 
undertaking by compelling General Washington 
to surrender. 

On the 16th of June Burgoyne left St. Johns 
with all his troops and baggage, and proceeded 
up the lake until he reached a place near Crown 
Point, where, on the 21st, he encamped. While 
he was coming along in fine spirits, General 
St. Clair, by General Schuyler's orders, had 
prepared to receive him at Ticonderoga, and 
scouts were constantly bringing him in the 
news of the enemy's gradual approach. Indian 
canoes were seen, and the smoke of the camp- 
fires could be plainly discerned from that lofty 
fortress, which overlooked the beautiful waters 
of the lake. The most constant vigilance was 
demanded ; and General St. Clair, who was in 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 141 

charge of Ticonderoga, wrote in much alarm to 
General Schuyler, begging for more men, as he 
was satisfied an immediate attack was intended. 

At the same time came news of Colonel St. 
Leger's descent upon the Mohawk Valley, with 
entreaties from Fort Stanwix for more men. 
General Schuyler endeavored to cheer up the 
spirits of the Httle garrison, in such imminent 
danger from overpowering forces, and as soon 
as possible sent re-enforcements. 

On the 1st of July, Burgoyne began to draw 
very near to Ticonderoga. General St. Clair 
was a brave Scotchman, who had been in the 
French and Indian wars, and he still hoped to 
make a good defence in case the attack should 
begin before General Schuyler with his re- 
enforcements arrived. 

In the mean time, the latter general had waited 
in vain for the expected troops fi'om Peekskill, 
and on the 7th he started with such of the militia 
forces as he could muster, altogether about fifteen 
hundred men, to go to Ticonderoga. When on 
his way up the Hudson, at Stillwater, he heard 
with great astonishment that General St. Clair 
had evacuated the fort. 

This news was at once sent to General Wash- 



142 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

ington, who was as much surprised as General 
Schuyler had been, and, in answer to the earnest 
entreaties of the latter, as many troops as could 
be spared were hurried forward to enable him 
to meet the threatening dangers. On the 10th, 
General Schuyler, at Fort Edward, received the 
first tidings of St. Clair and his men ; they 
were in the forest fifty miles off, and had been 
forced to evacuate the fort, the British having 
surrounded it, and having them completely at 
their mercy. A hasty retreat in the night alone 
saved them fi'om becoming prisoners. 

It was just at this time, when tilings looked 
so dark, that a party of Americans under Colo- 
nel Barton captured the British General Pres- 
cott, a man who had made himseK very odious 
by his unkind treatment of our prisoners. This 
was a cheering piece of news, and Washington 
now hoped to be able to exchange him for Gen- 
eral Lee, who was still in the enemy's hands ; 
but as General Howe was at sea, no answer to 
his proj^osals could be obtained at present. 

General Schuyler lost no time in throwing up 
such intrenchments as he was able to do, aided 
by Kosciusko, Arnold, and St. Clair, near Fort 
Edward : he was determined, if possible, to 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 143 

prevent Burgojne from proceeding any fur- 
ther down into tlie heart of the countr}^ But 
as the latter advanced with his forces, he wisely 
retreated down the Hudson, to about thirty 
miles above Albany. Here he received dis- 
couraging accounts from Fort Stanwix, which 
was then being threatened by Colonel St. Le- 
ger, — one of the most valuable American officers, 
General Herkimer, having been killed in a bat- 
tle with the Indians that were assisting the 
British. 

All this was enough to distract any man ; but 
General Schuyler was too brave, and quite too 
much interested in the great cause of liberty to 
pause in his work ; so he went on ^^it]l energy 
to collect more troops, and, as best he could, to 
guard against Burgoyne on the north and St. 
Leger on the west, both of them apparently 
ready to close in around him. 

So far, the British plans had worked well, but 
now the Indian allies who had added so much 
to the power of Burgoyne's army began to quar- 
rel, and finally left him, and returned to their 
homes in Canada, carrying with them whatever 
they pleased of spoils and baggage. Of course, 
this was an unexpected trouble for Burgoyne, 



144 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

and he could not stir, nor proceed further in his 
designs upon the American General, until he 
repaired his losses by stealing from the stores 
of his enemy. But in the attempt to do this-, 
he was unsuccessful, although his best Hessian 
soldiers were sent out to attack and plunder the 
American camps and villages throughout New 
England, Avhile he awaited the result in his 
quarters at Fort Edward. 

In one of these plundering attacks, at Ben- 
nington, Yermont, a severe battle occurred, in 
which the Americans were victorious, and cap- 
tured almost the entire British army, with arms, 
wagons, and ammunition. It was a great gain 
to the patriots, but a bitter reverse to Burgoyne. 

This was the news which cheered Washington 
just as he was moving his men from Philadel- 
phia to the Brandywine, and relieved his mind 
from much anxiety regarding the northern de- 
partment. 

On the other hand, St. Leger, who was draw- 
ing his parallels nearer and nearer to Fort Stan- 
wix, felt sure of capturing it in a short time, and 
would probably have done so, but for a strata- 
gem of General Anderson, who was then on his 
way with a small re-enforcement for the fort, A 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 145' 

half-witted Tory, who had been captured and 
condemned as a s])j, was sent into the British 
camp with orders to frighten the Indians by 
representing that a large force was coming,, 
his own life being spared on condition of his 
doing so. This had the desired effect ; and the 
Indians, who really feared the Yankees, became 
so fierce and unmanageable from their desire to 
escape, that St. Leger, much against his will, 
retreated in haste, leaving all his stores to faU 
into the hands of the Americans. When they 
were far away toward Canada, he discovered, 
how he had been deceived ; but it was too late 
to return. 

These two blows had crij)pled the British, and 
broken up all their present hopes of conquest. 

Just at this time, General Schuyler was su- 
perseded by General Gates, who had long been 
jealous of him, and had managed to make such 
representations to Congress as led them to dis- 
trust the brave general who had toiled so hard 
for the good of his country. His noble spirit was 
shown by his generous conduct toward Gates, 
and by his consenting to remain and serve 
under his new director ; for he weU knew that 
to leave the post entirely at that time might seri- 
13 



146 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

ously affect the cause, wliicli was of more im- 
portance, ill liis estimation, than any mere form 
of etiquette. But it was all lost upon Gates, 
who was too conceited and vain to care for 
Schuyler's offered advice, and was willing to 
sHght him whenever he could do so. 

After a little while, this jealous and unncom- 
iortable spirit showed itself to General Ai-nold, 
who had done such excellent service in many 
a battle, but was now dismissed and insulted, 
because he was receiving the credit for his 
efforts. StiU, Arnold remained in the camp, 
resolved to do what he could in case a battle 
should occur. 

BurgojTie's position was now growing unsafe ; 
for while his forces were so much weakened by 
the loss of his Indian alHes, and many valuable 
stores, the Americans were strengthening their 
posts below him, and, by an unexpected blow 
behind him, were besieging Ticonderoga, thus 
threatening to close the door of escape into 
Canada. He was, however, waiting anxiouslj^ 
for Su' Henry Clinton's expedition up the Hud- 
son, which he still hoped to join, and this had 
been delayed so long tliat he w^as almost in 
despair. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 147 

But at length Sir Henry's fieel sailed up the 
Hudson, stormed the forts on its banks, and 
landed his army on the west side of the river. 
They then marched up, burning towns, villages, 
and private residences on the way, until noth- 
ing remained between them and Burgoyne but 
Gates and his army. 

The 7th of October had now come, and Bur- 
gojne resolved to force his way through the 
American lines if possible, and reach Albany, 
where he hoped to find Sir Henry ready to join 
him. A bloody battle followed, in which he 
was utterly defeated, and obliged to retreat ; 
and so vigorously did the Americans pursue 
and harass him, that on the 17th of Octo- 
ber he finally surrendered his army of near 
six thousand men, seven thousand stands of 
arms, and military stores of the most valuable 
kinds. 

Just as the terms were arranged, Burgoyne 
received the tidings of Clinton's successful career 
up the river, but it was too late to change the 
order of things. After his surrender he was re- 
ceived in the kindest manner by the American 
officers, and as one of the terms of the treaty 
was, that the British officers should all be per- 



148 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



mitted to return to England, tliey soon set sail, 
never again to visit America. 

Of course Sir Henry Clinton, being thus dis- 
appointed in tlie final object of bis expedition, 
could only retui'n with bis fleet, leaving tbe river 
once more clear of British ships and soldiers. 




LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 149 



CHAPTEK XY. 

Battle of Germantown— Washington encamps at White- 
marsh — Winter-quarters at Valley Forge — Secret enemies 
— Intense sufferings of the army — Apparent indifference 
of Congress — Washington prays — Visits of old friends — 
Baron Steuben — News of Burgoyne's surrender in Eng- 
land — Proposals for peace — They are I'ejected by the 
United States — Treaties with France — British troops 
evacuate Philadelphia — Troubles between France and 
England — Battle of Monmouth — Washington pursues the 
enemy — Conduct of General Lee — Court-Martial — Ar- 
rival of French fleet in the Delaware — Consultations with 
French officers — Unsuccessful expedition. 

Lord Coenwallis and a large part of the 
British army had entered and occui3ied Phila- 
delphia, while Lord Howe remained for a short 
time at Germantown. General Washington de- 
termined, therefore, to attack the enemy at the 
latter place, while their forces were thus divided. 
On the 3d of October, after dark, the march 
began, and they reached the British camp and. 
opened the attack soon after daybreak, taking; 
the unsuspecting inmates entirely by surprise. 

At first, the fortunes of the day seemed to be- 
13* 



150 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

in favor of the American side, but soon, after a 
desperate battle, the fog became so thick and 
dark, as to occasion great confusion in the lines, 
and the Americans were unable to distinguish 
their friends from their foes. Thus, although 
they had abeady driven the enemy a mile or 
two, and were on the very verge of victory; the 
confusion increased as the fog became thicker, 
and instead of pursuing the flying enemy they 
took flight themselves, and fled in dismay from 
the bloody field. 

This was the memorable battle of German- 
town, in which the patriots lost about one thou- 
sand men, in killed, wounded, and missiug. But 
notwithstanding this heavy loss, the effect of the 
news on the people was decidedly good, as it 
roused them to activity, and showed them that 
Americans w^ere indeed in earnest, although 
powerful invaders were in their midst. 

In a few days afterward Washington en- 
camped at Whitemarsh, fourteen miles from 
the city, where they remained until December 
18th, when they removed to Yalley Forge, about 
eight miles further, for winter-quarters. Here 
they built huts of logs, obtained by cutting 
down the forest-trees. These huts w^ere ar- 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 151 

ranged in avenues like streets, twelve men 
occupjdng each one, except in cases of those 
appointed for the general officers, and here they 
remained until the following June. 

Whilst Washington was constantly battling 
or manoeuvring against "his open enemies, 
there were many secret ones at work in his 
very midst, endeavoring by unworthy means to 
undermine him, and cast reproach upon his 
pure and patriotic acts and intentions. A 
pamphlet of forged letters was published in 
England and circulated in America which were 
calculated to do him gi-eat injury, and no doubt 
did prejudice many against him ; but happily 
all these unjust attempts to deprive him of his 
hardly earned laurels were fi'uitless, and are 
known to have originated in the jealousy of 
a few who wished to stand in his lofty posi- 
tion. The chief object of the party that was 
thus working against him, was prol^ably to dis- 
gust him, and cause his resignation of the com- 
mand, when Gates would be recommended as 
a successor. A kind Providence guarded the 
interests of the young nation, and averted such 
a disaster. 

The winter of 1778, at Valley Forge, was a 



152 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

hard one for tlie army. Hunger and cold tried 
the patience and fidelity of the men, and their 
sufferings for want of blankets and clothing 
were dreadful. This was partly owing to the 
fact that the British army, only about twenty 
miles off, were consuming all the provisions 
within reach, and the inhabitants being nearly 
all Tories, were more ready to assist the royal 
troops than the Americans. Out of a little oyer 
eleven thousand men at Valley Forge, about 
twenty-nine hundred were without shoes or 
decent coverings for their bodies, while the 
cold was very severe. The only way to secure 
even a moderate supply of food was to seize 
it wherever found around the country, giving 
pledges of payment at the close of the war, a 
measure which Washington only consented to 
because of the desperate emergency in which 
they were placed. 

It seemed almost impossible to arouse Con- 
gress to realize this extremity, although he so 
often appealed to them for help, and it is no 
wonder if he did lose his patience and reproach 
the members openly for treating his soldiers as 
if " they were made of stocks and stones, and, 
as such, insensible to frost and snow." 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 153 

But, altliougli man's help was slow in coming, 
tlie Commander-in-cliief looked to a higher 
fountain for refreshment and comfort. Often 
would he steal away to a quiet thicket in the 
forest, and, kneeling down in prayer, would lay 
his troubles before the Almighty Helper, who 
alone Can govern the unruly wills of men and 
lighten His servants' burdens. It is said that 
a Tory once followed, to ascertain what he was 
doing, and, seeing him in prayer, went and told 
his friends that their cause was hopeless, for 
Washington was asking help of God. And we, 
who know the end of those labors and trials, 
cannot doubt that this God of Armies both 
heard and answered him. 

By February things became better, and such 
changes were made in the commissary depart- 
ment as gave them a better supply of the neces- 
saries of life. Mrs. "Washington came up from 
Mount Yernon to visit her husband in camp, 
and several other officers' wives did the same. 
Also his old friend, Bryan Fairfax, of Belvok, 
paid him a short visit, thus reviving many 
happy memories of the peaceful days at home, 
in Virginia. 

Another distinguished foreigner, who came 



154 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

out from the Frencli Government to aid tlie 
cause at this time, was Baron Steuben, a 
Prussian officer, who came to Valley Forge in 
the midst of their distress, but * entered heart 
and soul into the work in which he had sought 
to assist. During that long winter he acted as 
drill-master, instructing both officers and men 
in military tactics, and finally, by Washington's 
recommendation, receiving the appointment of 
Inspector-General from Congress. 

The news of Burgoyne's surrender caused 
great consternation in England, and decided 
the French to take sides with America. Alarmed 
at this, the English Government at once sent 
over proposals for peace, offering to modify the 
taxation, and pardon all offenders, at the same 
time appointing commissioners to negotiate and 
arrange particulars. But it was too late ; too 
much blood had already been shed in the cause 
for them to withdraw now with anything short 
of independence. 

On the 2d of May, just after Congress had 
declined these proposals from England, a 
message arrived from France, bringing the wel- 
come news of the two treaties between that na- 
tion and the United States — one providing for 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 155 

fidencTsliip and commerce, and the other prom- 
ising support and alliance until England should 
acknowledge the independence of this country. 
These treaties had been signed in Paris on the 
6th of February, by the representatives of the 
two nations. 

As may be imagined, the wildest joy prevailed 
in the camp at Valley Forge when the news 
came, and the 6th of May was kept as a holi- 
day, in honor of the event. 

Another effect of Burgoyne's disaster was the 
recall of General Howe, who was much blamed 
for his mismanagement of affairs — Sir Henry 
Clinton being ordered to take his place. The 
latter at once proceeded to Philadelphia, and 
on the 6th of June the three commissioners ar- 
rived there from England, bringing the peace 
proposals before mentioned. Congress was 
then sitting at Yorktown, Pennsylvania, and on 
the 17th they gave those gentlemen a decided 
answer, dechning peace on any other terms than 
independence. 

Early in June General Washington discovered 
symptoms of the intended evacuation of Phila- 
delphia, and was on the alert to ascertain" the 
direction to be taken by the British. These 



156 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

preparations were in full progress when the 
commissioners arrived, but the final evacuation 
did not take place until the 18th, when, with 
great caution, Sir Henry and his entire army 
crossed the Delaware, in boats, at the mouth of 
the Schuylkill, and took up their march across 
Jersey. As soon as Washington heard of this 
he sent General Arnold, with a suitable force, 
to take command of the city, while he at once 
broke camp at Valley Forge, and pushed on 
with his whole force to overtake the enemy, 
who were marching up the east side of the 
Delaware, toward Trenton. 

The treaty of alliance between France and 
the United States had been considered by Eng- 
land equal to a declaration of war, and orders 
had therefore been given to Sir Henry Chnton 
to send five thousand of his troops to attack 
the French West India Islands, and three thou- 
sand more to Florida. Having already sent 
that number around by sea to New York, his 
remaining forces were not very large, and 
Washington, with Lafayette and several of his 
other generals, thought it best to overtake and 
give them battle before they should reach New 
York. General Lee, who had been exchanged 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 157 

some time bef re, and was now with them, 
thought differently. 

This division of opinion in the council an- 
noyed Washington, but he was so well con- 
vinced of the propriety of his views, that he 
resolved to act on his own responsibility. 
Marching through Pennsylvania, he crossed the 
river above Trenton, and in five days reached 
Hopewell, five miles fi'om Princeton. The 
British had gone from Gloucester Point, where 
they landed, through Haddonfield, Mount Holly, 
Crosswicks, and Allentown — their long train of 
wagons and artillery reaching nearly twelve 
miles. By Washington's foresight, in giving 
notice of their probable intentions, the bridges 
on this route had aU been destroyed by the 
Jersey militia, so that their movement was 
slow, being obliged to stop and build bridges 
as they went along. 

When they did reach Allentown, they found 
theAmericans directly in their front, prepared to 
fight ; but as Sir Henry Clinton did not think it 
prudent to risk a battle then, he turned aside and 
pushed forward toward Monmouth Courthouse, 
now Freehold. He reached that place on the 
night of the 27th, and perceiving tiow closely he 

14 



158 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

was pursued, encamped in a position where he 
was surrounded by low marshy ground. Next 
day occurred the battle of Monmouth, in which 
General Lee's strange acts were further shown 
in his unwillingness to attack the enemy. 

The battle, though not a decisive yictoi-y for 
the Americans, was certainly not a defeat, and 
the British suffered far more than did their en- 
emies. Of the royalists, four officers and nearly 
three hundred privates were killed, while the 
American loss was sixty-nine killed. Besides 
this. Sir Henry had lost heavily during his 
march from desertions and prisoners taken, 
his army being now at least twelve hundi*ed 
less than when he left Philadelphia. 

The British hastened on to Sandj^ Hook, 
where Lord Howe's fleet was in waiting to 
take them to New York. Washington also 
proceeded to the Hudson Biver, crossed at 
King's Ferry, and encamped at White Plains. 
This long march was accompHshed in the hot- 
test weather of the summer, and many of the 
poor soldiers of both armies died by the way 
from exhaustion. 

General Lee's conduct during the late battle 
had been veiy strange for a brave man, such as 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 159 

he was. He had opposed "Washington's opin- 
ion in regard to attacking the enemy, and when 
ordered to lead forward his men, had done so, 
•but retreated almost immediately, before any 
fighting had been done, which was, under the 
circumstances, both unwise and unsoldierlike. 

As soon as the Commander-in-chief was in- 
formed of this he hurried forward, met Lee, 
with his troops in confusion, and demanded an 
explanation of his conduct, at the same time 
ordering the men to be formed in line, and 
turned back ; this prompt action on the part 
of Washington no doubt saved the whole army. 
Lee, however, was much offended by the man- 
ner in which his superior had spoken to him, 
and as soon as they had reached a resting- 
place, he wrote a letter to General Washington, 
containing such improper language that the lat- 
ter, in his reply, pronounced it highly disrespect- 
ful, at the same time accusing General Lee of 
" a breach of orders, and of misconduct before 
the enemy." A court-martial was held at Lee's 
request during the march, sitting at every 'stop- 
ping-place, and lasting until the 12th of August, 
when a verdict of " guilty " was rendered, and 
he was sentenced to be suspended from all com- 



160 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

mand for twelve months. Congress approved 
tlie sentence, but Lee preferred to leave the 
army altogether, and retired to his home, in 
Yirginia, dying a few years afterwards while on 
a visit to Philadelphia. 

On the 13th of July, before "Washington had 
crossed the Hudson, news was sent him of the 
arrival of a French fleet at the Capes of the 
Delaware, consisting of twelve ships of the line 
and six frigates, with four thousand soldiers. 
On one of the vessels came Monsieur Girard, 
the first minister from France to the United 
States. 

The Count D'Estaing, who commanded this 
fleet, had hoped to arrive in time to entrap the 
British ships in the Delaware ; but, owing to the 
long voyage of nearly ninety days, it had come 
too late to do that. Finding that Lord Howe 
had gone to Sandy Hook, the Count sent up 
one frigate with Monsieur Girard to Philadel- 
phia, and with the other vessels set sail at 
once for the neighborhood of the enemy, where 
"Washington's messages of welcome and con- 
gratulation reached him. 

The first plan of action proposed, was for 
Count D'Estaing to engage the British fleet at 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 161 

Sandy Hook, while tlie Americans attacked tlie 
army on land ; but this was found to be impossi- 
ble, on account of the shallow water on the bar, 
which prevented the heavy French ships from 
passing up ; they therefore changed the point of 
attack to the Ehode Island coast, where there 
was stationed a body of British troops, with a 
few shijDS. The Count started on the expedi- 
tion, but for various reasons it was unsuccessful, 
chiefly owing to the stormy weather, and the 
French fleet was forced to put into Boston 
harbor, in a disabled condition. Here they 
remained to refit until November. 




162 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Indian massacre in Wyoming — Admiral Byron's fleet — De- 
parture of tlie French fleet — British expedition to Georgia 
— Americans in winter-quarters — Indifference of Con- 
gress — Pressure for money — Troops sent to punish the 
Indians — Invasion of New England — Washington pro- 
ceeds up the Hudson — Captures — Fortifications at West 
Point — Dinner at headquarters — Army at Morristown — 
Cold winter — Paper-money — Return of General Lafayette 
— Prospect of relief from France — Blockade at Newport 
— General Arnold becomes a traitor — Washington de- 
ceived by him — Major Andre — Arnold's baseness — 
Andre's capture — Arnold's escape — Washington's sur- 
prise — Execution of Andre — Arnold enters the British 
service — The captors of Major Andre — Congress rewards 
them. 

During this summer, while the armj was oc- 
cupied in the mamier just related, the Indian 
massacre in the yalley of Wyoming took place. 
It was set on foot and conducted by the same 
Tories and Indians that had retreated with St. 
Leger to Canada, and was intended to surprise, 
lay waste, and desolate the beautiful region of 
Central Pennsylvania on both sides of the Sus- 
quehanna. In carrying out their horrid designs 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 163 

they spared none, altliougli many of the women 
and cliildi-en escaped in terror to the settle- 
ments on the eastern border of the State — their 
houses being burned, and every trace of im- 
provement destroyed, while the merciless sav- 
ages and their unprincipled alUes tomahawked 
and scalped every man they could find. At 
least four hundred of those ill-fated farmers fell 
victims to the destroyers, who made good their 
escape before Washington's troops, sent out for 
that purpose, could capture them. 

In September another Enghsh squadron made 
its appearance, under command of Admiral 
Byron, who came to take charge of the British 
naval forces — Lord Howe having aheady re- 
signed, and followed his brother to England. 
In November the admiral proceeded to Boston 
with his fleet, intending to entrap the French 
there ; but a heavy storm drove him out to sea 
again, and gave the French fleet time to sail 
out and escape. The latter sailed to the West 
Indies, and thus the Americans were once more 
left to themselves, without having had much aid 
or protection either from ships or soldiers. 

It was at the end of this month (December), 
that the British began an expedition against 



164 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Georgia, which was to operate both by land 
and water. On the 29th their troops were 
landed near Savannah, and by the middle of 
the next month they had subdued and taken 
possession of the whole State. 

"Washington now placed his troops in winter- 
quarters — his lines extending from Long Island 
Sound across Jersey to the Delaware ; by this 
arrangement he could better guard against the 
plans of the enemy on both sides. Much of 
his own time during the early part of 1779 was 
passed in Philadelphia, where he was arranging 
plans for the next campaign. But, as usual, he 
had great trouble in getting Congress to act as 
they ought in this time of uncertainty. Some 
of the members thought the war was nearly 
oyer, and England would be too much occupied 
in the quarrel with France to pursue American 
affairs any further ; others had lost their en- 
thusiasm, and remained quietly at their homes, 
while many more were too busy with gayety and 
dissipation to care for the wants of their coun- 
try. All this was very disheartening to Wash- 
ington, who foresaw the need of preparing for a 
vigorous defence in the spring. 

Nothing of importance occurred until May, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 165 

when a considerable force was sent out to pun- 
ish the Indians for their atrocious massacres at 
Wyoming and Cherry valleys ; this expedition 
succeeded in driving them out of the regions 
around the Alleghany and the Mohawk rivers, 
and finally into Canada, where they were re- 
ceived by the British garrison at Niagara. 

The first movement of the enemy this year 
was an invasion into Yirginia merely for pur- 
poses of plunder, and, after burning a few 
towns, sinking or burning ships, capturing 
stores, etc., the troops returned to New York. 
Being there joined by other vessels and a fresh 
body of troops, the squadron next sailed up the 
Hudson, to attack the American posts at Stony 
Point and Yerplanck's Point, near King's Ferry. 
• So sudden were these movements of Sir 
Henry Clini*n, and the forts at these two points 
being yet in an unfinished state, that they were 
easily taken by the great force at hand ; but 
Washington lost no time in collecting his own 
army from their different stations in Jersey, and 
placing them in such a position as to prevent 
the fleet from going any further up the river. 

An invasion of New England took place in 
July. A detachment of over two thousand men, 



166 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

sailing up Long Island Sound, landed at Kew 
Haven, where tliey destroyed many stores. 
From there they went to Fairfield and Norwalk, 
which were both in turn laid in ashes, while 
everywhere on the road the people were out- 
raged, and theu' homes and valuables burnt or 
plundered. Having satisfied themselves for the 
present, they then returned to their ships and 
sailed away before the militia could assemble 
in sufficient numbers to resist them.. 

The real object of this last movement was to 
draw Washington away from the Hudson ; but 
he was too cautious to be thus thrown off his 
guard. So far from leaving his posts there, he 
took advantage of this favorable time to recover 
possession of Stony Point, which he did on the 
night of the 15tli of July, taking many prisoiv- 
ers and much valuable artillery,^ small-arms, 
ammunition, and other mihtary stores. General 
Wayne, who conducted the enterprise, w^ith 
Colonels Fleury and Stewart, received medals 
from Congress, struck in honor of the deed. 
After the capture, however, Washington found 
it best to evacuate it, which he accordingly did, 
bringing away all the captured stores. 

About a month afterward they surprised the 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 167 

British post at Paiilus Hook, opposite New 
York, and took one hnndred and fifty-nine 
prisoners — losing only two of their own number. 
Major Henry Lee, who originated and carried 
out the plan, was presented with a gold medal 
commemorating the event. 

During the remainder of the summer the ex- 
tensive works at West Point were carried on 
vigorously, and Washington took up his head- 
quarters there at the close of July. Some idea 
of his simple stjde of living at this time may be 
gained from a letter written by him to the Sur- 
geon-General on the 16th of August, 1779, in 
which he invites the doctor's wife and another 
lady to dine. It shows, also, that even in the 
midst of his anxieties he could be cheerful, and 
even playful. After the invitation, he goes on 
to let them know what kind of fare they may 
expect, as follows : 

" Since our arrival at this happy spot, we 
have had a ham, sometimes a shoulder of bacon, 
to grace the head of the table ; a piece of roast 
beef adorns the foot ; and a dish of beans, or 
greens, almost imperceptible, decorates the 
centre. When the cook has a mind to cut a 
figure, which I presume will be the case to- 



168 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

morrow, we Lave two beef-steak pies, or dishes 
of crabs, in addition, one on each side of the 
centre dish, dividing the space", and reducing 
the distance between dish and dish to about six 
feet, which, without them, would be near twelve 
feet apart. Of late he has had the surprising 
sagacity to discover that apples will make pies ; 
and it is a question, whether, in the violence of 
his efforts, we do not get one of apples instead 
of having both of beef-steaks. If the ladies 
can put up with such entertainment, and will 
submit to partake of it on plates, once tin but 
now iron (not become so by the labor of scour- 
ing), I shall be happy to see them ; and am, 
dear Doctor, yours, (tc." 

No doubt the ladies enjoyed their dinner, in 
spite of the iron plates and short bill of fare. 

That year the main body of the army went 
into winter-quarters at Morristown — a large por- 
tion being stationed at "West Point, and other 
posts on the Hudson, and also at one or two 
points in Connecticut. Besides these, the jiews 
of recent defeat in South Carolina, and the 
sailing of Sir Henry Clinton's fleet with more 
troops for that quarter, induced the American 
commander to despatch thither two regiments 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 169 

from North Carolina, witli all that could be col- 
lected in Yn-ginia. These forces marched for 
Charleston about the middle of December. 

At the North the winter was unusually severe, 
and again the troops were bare of clothing and 
shoes, as well as food. In many respects the 
horrors of the winter at Yalley Forge were re- 
peated this year on the bleak hills of Morris- 
town ; but supplies were at length obtained from 
the Jersey farmers, wdio brought in food for the 
famishmg soldiers, and received, in return, cer- 
tificates promising payment at some future time. 
So unusual was the cold that New York Bay 
was fi'ozen of er, and the British began to fear 
that the Americans might cross on the ice and 
attack the city of New ITork. 

One of the greatest sources of trouble at this 
time was the paper currency which Congress 
had issued in large quantities, in order to meet 
the expenses of the war, but which had gradu- 
ally depreciated, until' the price of every article 
became enormous, and fortij dollars of paper- 
money was worth only one in gold 

In April, 1780, General Lafayette, who had 
been on a visit to France, returned to America, 
bringing the cheering news that another fleet 
15 



170 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

was about sailing to our relief. On the lOtli of 
July it arrived, and entered tlie liarbor of New- 
port, Rhode Island. It consisted of eight ships 
of the line, two fi'igates, two bombs, and five 
thousand troops, the fleet being under the 
command of Chevalier de Ternaj, Count de 
Rochambeau having charge of the land forces. 
Another fleet was ready to sail from France at 
the same time, but was detained at Brest. 

General Lafayette was at once despatched to 
consult with the French officers, and arrange 
the plan for a naval attack ; but the British navy 
about this time was re-enforced by the arrival 
of Admiral Graves with six ships of the line, 
and it was already quite extensive. Sir Henry 
Clinton's fleet ha^dng lately returned from the 
attack on Charleston. Nothing could therefore 
be done until the other ships could come from 
Brest. 

Sir Henry Clinton was very anxious to do 
something, however, but did not dare to with- 
draw any of his forces from New York while 
Washington and his army were so near by, so 
he contented himself with sending Admiral Ar- 
buthnot with a part of the fleet to blockade the 
French squadron at Newport. This being done 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 171 

pretty effectually, it prevented any action during 
tlie season. 

And now we must notice tlie conduct of Gen- 
eral Benedict Arnold, who liad been placed in 
charge of Philadelphia by Washington, some 
eighteen months before, but whose extravagant 
mode of living had given rise to very disagree- 
able rumors. By degrees these rumors began 
to assume such a serious shape that Congress 
took notice of them, and ordered a trial by 
court-martial. This was done, and he was 
sentenced to be publicly reproved by the Com- 
mander-in-chief. Besides this, there was pretty 
strong evidence of his having defrauded the 
Government, and it is probable that the morti- 
fication caused by these discoveries, as well as 
the punishment, made him desperate, and he 
resolved to revenge himself. To accomplish 
this he became a traitor, and opened a secret 
correspondence with the enemy, through Major 
Andre, Adjutant-General of the British army. 

With the sole object of furthering these un- 
worthy designs he applied to be placed in com- 
mand at West Point, and from the high opinion 
which Washington still held respecting his 
bravery and judgment, the appointment was 



172 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

made, and lie arrived there about the first of 
August, and prepared to carry out his grand 
scheme of deHvering that and all the other 
posts of the Hudson River to the enemy, as 
soon as the opportunity offered. The time came 
soon for which Arnold had waited, for Wash- 
ington had gone to Hartford, to see the French 
ojfficers, and the traitor, dreading his vigilance 
more than any thing else, availed himself of this 
brief absence to undertake the deed. 

Having laid his plans, the British sloop of war 
" Yulture" came up the Hudson, and anchored 
a few miles below King's Ferry, having on board 
Major Andre, who was to go ashore and meet 
Arnold in the night, on the west side of the 
river. The meeting took place on the 21st of 
September, and they continued the conference 
until morning, Arnold giving to Andre the fullest 
information, with plans of the works, which the 
latter placed inside of his stockings. 

During the night, while these wicked negoti- 
ations were going on, the " Vulture" had been 
fired on by the American cannon, and forced to 
drop further down the stream, so Arnold advised 
Andre to ride down to New York, instead of at- 
tempting to gain the vessel, which he at length 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 173 

reluctantly decided to do. Crossing the river 
in a boat to Verplanck's Point, and then taking 
the road that led most directly to the British 
lines, he hm-ried on, but had not gone far, when 
he was surj)rised by three men, who stepped out 
of a thicket, pointed a musket at his head, and 
called on him to dismount. Supposing they 
were Tories fi'om their dress, the chief spokes- 
man, Paulding, being arrayed in a shabby refu- 
gee's coat, he was at once thrown off his guard, 
and confessed himself a British officer who had 
been up the country on important business. 
Great was his horror at discovering that they 
were Americans, and that he had betrayed him- 
self ; but he endeavored to contradict the story, 
while they, preferring to believe his first ac- 
count, made him their prisoner. Upon search- 
ing his person the j^lans and instructions given 
him by Ai-nold were found in his boots, which 
convinced them that he was a spy, and they set 
out without delay to take him to North Castle, 
the nearest American post, where Lieutenant- 
Colonel Jameson was commanding. The latter 
at once recognized Arnold's hand^\Titing in the 
captured documents, and forwarded them with- 
out delay to General "Washington at Hartford, 
15* 



174: LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

at the same time sending notice to Arnold at 
West Point. 

Unfortunately the messenger to Hartford 
took the lower route, while Washington, having 
finished his business, had left that place a few 
hours before by the upper road. By this means 
they missed each other, and the news of Andre's 
capture reached Arnold a few hours before the 
Commander-in-chief arrived at West Point. 

Of course, the traitor thought only of escape, 
and, pretending that urgent business called him 
away, he ordered the men to row him doA\Ti the 
river, holding up a white handkerchief as a flag 
of truce to the officer at Verplanck's Point, by 
which he was permitted to pass down to where 
the Yulture stiU waited for Andre. Once aboard 
of this, he was among friends who would pro- 
tect him from a traitor's doom. 

In the afternoon of the same day Washing- 
ton received the papers, together with a letter 
from Andre, revealing his name and rank. Up 
to that time they had not known his real name, 
as he had passed as John Anderson. Andre 
was at once taken to West Point, and afterwards 
to Tappan village, where he was tried, convict- 
ed, and sentenced to be hung as a spy. There 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 175 

were many things wliicli entitled liim to pity, 
and even sympathy, for he was far less guilty 
than Arnold, who had so shamelessly betrayed 
his country ; and gladly would the generous- 
hearted Washington have spared his life, if the 
good of that same country had not required 
justice before mercy in such a case. He was, 
therefore, executed at Tappan, on the 2d of Oc- 
tober, and buried near the spot, where his body 
remained until 1821, when it was removed by 
the British consul at New York, taken to Eng- 
land, and laid in Westminster Abbey. 

Arnold received a commission of brigadier- 
general in the British army, besides a large sum 
of money, but through all his after-hfe he was 
an object of scorn, both in America and Eng- 
land. 

General "Washington showed his kindness and 
humanity by his treatment of Mrs. Arnold, in 
ha^dng her conveyed in safety to her friends in 
Philadelphia. 

One little circumstance connected with the 
above history is, perhaps, worth mentioning be- 
fore we leave the subject. Paulding, who first 
captured Andre, had been twice a prisoner in 
the loathsome British dungeons at New York, 



176 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

but Lad made his escape a few days before, 
wearing the old refugee coat that had been 
given him by the enemy in return for his own 
new garment taken away from him. It was this 
coat, as we have said, which deceived Andre, 
and probably led to the discovery of the treason 
which might have brought destruction upon the 
American cause. So mysteriously does God 
bring about His designs. In a letter to Colonel 
Laurens, Washington acknowledges the won- 
derful intei-position of Providence in thus res- 
cuing the post and garrison of "West Point from 
Arnold's perfidy. 

The captors of Major Andre — Paulding, 
Williams, and Yan Wart — were all rewarded 
by Congress for their services, each receiving a 
farm, a pension of two hundred doUars for life, 
and a silver medal. 




LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 177 



CHAPTEE XYII. 

Proceedings of the British in the South — AYashington's 
kindness to General Gates — Seat of war transferred to 
the South — Battle of Cowpens — General Greene in com- 
mand — He retreats toward Virginia — Cornwallis pursues 
— Battle of Guilford Court House — British retreat to 
Wilmington, K C. — Greene's successful attack on Cam- 
den, §. C. — Battle of Eutaw Springs — Arnold's base acts 
— Mount Yernon threatened by a British ship — Washing- 
ton's projects ixL the North — Change of plans — Washing- 
ton leads the army into Virginia — Siege of Yorktown — 
SuiTender of Lord Cornwallis — Thanksgivings and re- 
joicings ov^r the event — Death of Parke Custis — Pros- 
pects of peace — Lafayette returns to France — Washing- 
ton at Newhurg — Proposals to make him king — Dissatis- 
faction of the soldiers — Washington's wise counsels- 
Treaty of peace — Farewell address — British evacuate 
New York — Return to Mount Vernon. 

FoK some time past the Britisli, under Lord 
Cornwallis, had been overrunning the Carolinas, 
and were now preparing to extend their con- 
quests into Virginia. General Washing-ton, 
therefore, sent General Greene to take com- 
mand of the American troops in that quarter, 
in place of Gates, who had lost much of the 



178 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

popularity lie liad striven so hard to gain from 
General Schuyler in the North. Had it not 
been for the brave Marion and Sumter, with 
their bands of daring backwoodsmen, who 
drove Cornwallis out of Charlotte, North Caro- 
lina, the South had been by this time fairly 
overcome by the enemy. 

On the 2d of December General Greene 
arrived at Charlotte, which was then the head- 
quarters of Gates. The kindness and consid- 
eration shoTSTi both by Washington and himseK 
toward the vanquished Gates, who was at this 
time in great affliction at the loss of his only 
son, quite won his heart, and lightened the 
mortification of his position. Wifh feelings 
thus softened, he left the army, and retired to 
his home, at Berkely, Ya. 

Near the end of the year (1780), the Northern 
army went into winter-quarters at different 
points in the neighborhood of New York ; but 
the scene of active operations was now trans- 
ferred to the South, where Cornwallis was using 
all his efforts to drive Greene from his position 
in North Carolina. 

On the 17th of January, 1781, occurred the 
battle of Cowpens, in which Cornwallis's forces 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 179 

were badly beaten and driven back to liis camp 
on Turkey Creek. After this came long and 
toilsome marches — General Greene' choosing to 
retreat toward Yirginia, where he expected re- 
enforcements. Cornwallis followed closely be- 
hind, hoping to get between the Americans and 
their re-enforcements, and in this hope he pur- 
sued them until they reached the river Dan, on 
the borders of Yirginia. Here the Americans 
crossed in safety, but, a heavy rain faUing in 
the night, caused the river to rise so suddenly, 
that, when the enemy reached the banks, they 
found it impossible to proceed further. 

After a day or two the river began to subside, 
but Cornwallis did not think it prudent to con- 
tinue the pursuit, and so the tables were turned 
— the British setting out on a retreat, and the 
Americans hastening after them. 

On the 15th of March was fought the battle 
of Guilford Courthouse, — a defeat, perhaps, to 
the Americans, but even worse for the British, 
as one-quarter of their Httle army was either 
killed or disabled, with no chance of recruiting, 
or recovering its position. . Cornwa lis continued 
his retreat after a brief rest, and Greene pur- 
sued until they reached Deep Eiver, where the 



180 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Britisli had destroyed the bridge behind them : 
this,. of course, ended the pursuit, but Comwallis 
continued hi-s retreat to Wilmington. 

He had not been there long, when he heard 
that Greene had gone to Camden, S. C, where 
Lord Eawdon was stationed in command of the 
British forces. This was bad news for him, but 
he resolved to make the best of the present 
chance to march through North Carolina and 
join another part of his army in Yirginia, an 
undertaking which he accomplished by the 20th 
of May. 

General Greene's attack on Camden ended in 
the evacuation of the place by the British, who 
also set it on fire as they were leaving ; but his 
march through South Carolina was successful, 
though several severe battles and skirmishes 
took place on the way, resulting in his regain- 
ing a gTeat portion of Georgia, and the two 
Carolinas. On the 8th of September was fought 
the battle of Eutaw Springs, a victory for the 
Americans. 

Arnold was now engaged in burning the quiet 
towns of Yirginia, and other traitorous acts, but 
was never in full command, as even the British 
themselves did not dare to trust him with too 



Vn 



lid the 
• was for 







Washi.apt.on's Ilead-Q.uarters at Cambridge. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON 181- 

mucli authority. He was only a hrevet briga-- 
dier-general, — that is, having the title without 
the pay, thus being in reality only a major. At 
this time one of the enemy's vessels sailed up 
the Potomac and threatened to burn Mount 
Yernon unless the overseer should supply them 
with provisions : in his surprise and bewilder- 
ment the faithful man did this, there being no 
time for consultation, and he could not bear the 
thought of his master's house being destroyed - 
during his absence. But when Washington 
heard of it, he expressed his regret, saying 
that he wouLl rather have heard of even that 
disaster, than to endure the mortification of 
yielding to such a request. 

In the North, Washington was busy in plan- 
ning an attack on New York, in which he was 
to be assisted by the French army and navy. 
The latter were to sail for Sandy Hook, and 
begm the attack by sea ; but before this order 
reached the French admiral, de Grasse, the lat- 
ter had already sailed from the West Indies for 
the Chesapeake, which news reached Washing- 
ton on the 14th of August. This at once caused 
him to change his plans, and he resolved to lead 
the combined forces himself :'nto Virginia, leav- 

16 



1S2 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

ing only enough beliind to gnarcl the posts on 
the Hudson. Lafayette, who was in command 
of the army in Virginia, was delighted to hear 
that the Commander-in-chief Avas coming, and 
the unbounded love and confidence felt toward 
him, soon became evident from the feelings and 
spirits of the troops. 

After a brief pause at Mount Yernon, they 
pushed on to Yorktown, where they found 
Cornwallis, on the 30th of September, com- 
pletely shut in by the French and American 
troops, with the French fleet guarding the 
sea-coast. 

A siege was now determined on, for the Brit- 
ish had retired within their fortifications, and 
on the 9th of October the first gun was fired 
on the town. The firing lasted until the 17th, 
when Lord Cornwallis asked for a cessation of 
hostilities, until terms of surrender could be 
agi^eed upon. On the 19th, the articles of ca- 
pitulation were signed, and the royal army laid 
down their arms. 

For this great event, which was to send joy 
into the heart of every patriot in the land, Wash- 
ington returned devout thanks to Almighty God, 
and had divine service celebrated for that pur- 



J 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON.- 183 

pose in the camp at Yorktown, a special thanks- 
giving-day ] eing afterward appointed by Con- 
gress. Thanks were also voted to Washington, 
to Count de Eochambeau, and Admiral de Grasse, 
with others who had assisted in bringing about 
the glorious victory, while a marble column was 
ordered to be erected at Yorktown, to commem- 
orate the event. 

TMiile in the midst of these rejoicings, General 
"Washington was summoned to attend the death- 
bed of his stepson, John Parke Custis, who died 
at the age of t\Yenty-eight, leaving a widow and 
four young children, the two youngest of which 
were adopted by Washington, and lived with 
him during the remainder of his life. 

It was now evident that the war could not last 
much longer, but it was still necessary to be 
prepared and vigilant, in case the B itish 
should undertake another campaign ; and in 
thi^. opinion Congress fully agreed with him. 

Toward the close of 1781, Lafayette, who had 
done such good service in the late campaign, 
returned on a visit to France, with the thanks 
and commendations of Congress. 

In April, 1782, General Washington joined the 
army at Newburg, on the Hudson ; and in May, 



184: LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Sir Guy Carleton arrived from England to take 
the place of Sir Henry Clinton, who had grown 
weary of the war, and desired to bd relieved. 
Sir Guy brought assurances of a desire for 
peace on the part of Great Britain, but as 
nothing official had been sent, there was noth- 
ing to be done but to prepare for more fight- 
ing. At this time also, Washington received a 
letter from one of his own officers, proposing 
that he should become king of the new nation 
for whose independence they were fighting, but 
his nature was too noble to listen to such an 
idea, and he sharply rebuked the author of the 
letter, desiiing that such a sentiment should 
never be uttered again. 

During the remainder of this year and the 
next summer, much dissatisfaction prevailed 
among the soldiers, who had been unpaid for 
a long while, and several anonymous addresses 
were prepared and circulated, stirring up the 
feelings of both officers and men to a high de- 
gree. In these papers Congress was charged 
with ingratitude to the soldiers who had risked 
their all for the common cause, and the men 
were urged to assemble and see whether some 
means could not be found for redress, rather 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 185 

than quietly bear with the sorrows of poverty 
and dependence during the rest of their lives, in 
return for seven years of privation and suffer- 
ing. 

But however just these sentiments may have 
been, the wisdom of Washington readily per- 
ceived that the effect of such appeals would be 
very bad for the cause, and he therefore called 
a meeting of the officers and soldiers, which was 
held on the 15th of March. There, he read a 
paper which he had carefuUy prepared in answer 
to the anonymous ones to which we have al- 
luded, in which he urged them to await calmly 
the action of Congress, assuring them of his 
own intention to aid them as much as possi- 
ble. During the reading of this paper, it is said 
that he took out his glasses and put them on, 
remarking that he had " grown gray in his 
country's service, and was growing blind also, 
but he had never doubted either its justice or 
its gratitude." 

The effect of that elegant address, appealing 
to their honor and patriotism, which he had so 
often proved, was just what he desired, and. 
through his powerful influence the troubles, 
were set at rest, and in due time Congress; 
16* 



186 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

rewarded tlie services of tlie veterans as they 
deserved. 

At length, on the 23d of March, came the 
welcome news that a treaty of peace had been 
signed at Paris on the 20th of January, 1783, and 
in a few days afterward the close of hostihties 
was proclaimed by the British commander. 
Congress also proclaimed the war at an end, 
and ordered that furloughs should be granted 
to the men, who gladly returned to their homes 
and resumed once more the peaceful occupa- 
tions of former years. 

On the 2d of November Washington's cele- 
brated farewelj address to the armies of the 
United States was sent forth, in which he takes 
an affectionate and paternal leave of those who 
had so long been associated together under his 
command. 

On the 25th of the same month the British 
evacuated New York, and embarked for Eng- 
land, leaving the Americans to take quiet pos- 
session of the city. The parting scene between 
Washing-ton and his officers was impressive 
and deeply affecting, and each one solemnly ap- 
proached and took the hand of the Commander- 
in-chief, who, with a few words of congratulation 



LIFE OP WASHINGTON. 187 

and blessing, not witliout manly tears in his eyes, 
returned tlie embrace. 

He lingered for a day or two in Philadelphia, 
on his way to Annapolis, adjusting his accounts 
with the Comptroller of the Treasury. These 
had been kept with the greatest exactness dur- 
ing the whole war, and were neatly written in 
his own hand, including all the expenses of the 
war, amounting to fourteen thousand five hun- 
dred pounds sterling. As for himself, he neither 
asked nor received any pay, but on the contrary 
had often advanced money from his own purse 
to meet emergencies, when the public one was 
empty. 

But one thing remained now to be done, and 
that was, to resign his commission into the 
hands' of Congress, from whom he had received 
it. This took place on the 23d of December, 
at Annapolis, where Cong ess vas then sitting. 
Having thus finished his glorious career as 
Commander-in-chief of t'l > army, he left the 
hall amid the ch -ers and j^raises of the whole 
assembled crowd- of spectators. Then, proceed- 
ing at once to Mount Vernon, he arrived there 
on Christmas eve, and we may well imagine that 
he was fully prepared to enjoy that sacred and 



188 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 



happy season once more amongst his own fam- 
ily, having visited his home but twice, when on 
his way to and from Yorktown, during the last 
eight years. 




LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 189 



CHAPTEK XVIII. 

The quiet winter at Mount Vemon — Hospitalities — Changes 
among his friends — Letter from Jacob Van Braam — ^Visit 
of Lafayette — Grief at parting with him. 

In thus retiring to liis quiet home, TVashing- 
ington hoped to bid adieu forever to public hfe, 
and settle down to partake, in common with 
others, of the blessings of liberty and inde- 
pendence. 

A cold winter kept the inmates of Mount 
Yernbn within-doors most of the time until 
spring, but the master of those large estates 
found employment enough in looking over his 
private accounts, and preparing for the coming 
spring. "When spring did come, there were 
many visitors from all parts of the land, who 
came to show their respect and gratitude to the 
man who held the highest place in the esteem 
and affection of his country ; and they were aU 
received with hospitaUty and kindness, although 



190 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

his personal attention "was given to liis farm 
through a portion of each day. 
• Changes had, of course, taken place among 
his neighbors, and some were no longer there to 
renew the pleasant associations of the past. 
His early friend, Lord Fairfax, lived at Green- 
way Court until after the surrender of Com- 
walHs, which news so affected his Enghsh feel- 
ings that he died soon after, in the ninety-second 
year of his age. 

"We quote from Weems' Life of Washington 
the following quaint verses : 

""Wlien old Lord Fau-fax heard that Wash- 
ington had captm-ed Lord Cornwallis and all his 
army, he called to his black waiter, ' Come, Joe ! 
carry me to bed, for it is high time for me to 
die !' " ' • 

" Then up rose Joe, all at the word, 

And took his master's arm, 
And thus to bed he softly led 

The lord of Greenway farm. 

" There oft he called on Britam's name, 

And oft he wept full sore. 
Then sighed, ' Thy will, O Lord, bedone'— 

And word spake never more." 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 191 

Belvoir, the pleasant home of the other Fair- 
faxes, had been burnt to the ground during his 
absence, and was now a mass of ruins. His 
old friend, George William Fairfax, was in Eng- 
land, having preferred to stand aloof from the 
contest. 

But in his own home at Mount Yernon was 
contained all that he now desired to complete 
his happiness, although it required some little 
time for him to become altogether accustomed 
to the new state of affairs. After so many yeara 
of camp hfe, surrounded with warlike sights 
and sounds, it was hard to realize at first that 
all this was changed, and there was no longer 
a necessity for anxiety and fears. 

In writing to General Knox, he says : " I am 
just beginning to experience that ease and free- 
dom from pubHc cares which, however desirable, 
takes some time to realize ; for, strange as it 
may seem, it is nevertheless true, that it was 
■ not till lately I could get the better of my usual 
custom of ruminating, as soon as I waked in 
the morning, on the business of the ensuing 
day ; and of my surprise at finding, after re- 
vohing many things in my mind, that I was no 
longer a public man, nor had anything to do 



192 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

with public transactions. I feel now, however, 
as I conceive a wearied traveller must do, who, 
after treading many a painful step with a heavy 
burden on his shoulders, is eased of the latter, 
having reached the haven to which aU the 
former were directed ; and from his house-top 
is looking back, and tracing with an eager eye 
the meanders by which he escaped the quick- 
sands and mires which lay in his way, and into 
which none but the all-powerful Guide and Dis- 
penser of human events could have prevented 
his falling." 

To his attached friend and fellow-soldier, La- 
fayette, to whose generous assistance and faith- 
ful services our country owes such a debt of 
gratitude, he wrote also to express his peaceful 
feelings of perfect contentment in his quiet 
home ; and in a letter to the Marchioness de 
Lafayette, he invites her to come to the United 
States, to see the " young, rude, and uncultiva- 
ted" land, for which her noble husband had 
fought. He says, " I am now enjoying domestic 
ease, under the shadows of my own vine and 
my own fig-tree, in a small villa, with the im- 
plements of husbandry and lambkins about me. 
* * ^ Come, then, let me entreat you, and 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 193 

call my cottage jour own, for your doors do not 
open to yoii with more readiness tlian mine 
would. You will see the plain manner in which 
we live, and meet with rustic civiHty ; and you 
shall taste the simplicity of rural life. It will 
diversify the scene, and may give you a higher 
relish for the gayeties of the court when you 
return to Versailles." 

As might be supposed, the prosperity and 
productiveness of the estates had not improved 
during this long absence of the master, and 
those winter months were busy ones, although 
mostly passed within-doors. There were plans 
to be prepared for the spring, and it was neces- 
sary to look well to his expenditures, and econ- 
omize too, for the war had made heavy demands 
on his private purse. 

The crowd of visitors who came to Mount 
Yernon were welcomed to his table, and received 
both by himself and Mrs. Washington with hos- 
pitality. It was with a view to relieve him in 
some measure from the expenses which must 
thus necessarily grow out of his gTeat popular- 
^ity, that the government of Pennsylvania made 
a movement toward an appropriation of money 
for his U:;e ; but having heard of the propo- 
17 



194 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

sition before it was accomplished, he very 
promptly decHned it, preferring to be at some 
personal loss for the sake of the country he had 
served. 

It was during that winter that Washington 
received a long letter from Jacob Yan Braam, 
the drill-master who first instructed him in the 
use of the sword, at nineteen years of age, just 
at the opening of the French and Indian war. 
He had heard of his old pupil's success, and no 
doubt felt proud to offer his congratulations. 
He had himself served in the English ranks, 
but was then living quietly in France, where he 
probably ended his days. 

On the 17th of August, 1781, Lafayette ar- 
rived at Mount Yernon, and spent two weeks 
with his cherished friend ; then, after several 
months' absence to visit other places, and witness 
a treaty with the Indians, during w^hich time 
Washington was also absent on an expedition 
to look after his lands on the Ohio and Monon- 
gahela rivers, they met again at Richmond, and 
returned together to pass a few more pleasant 
days in social intercourse. ^ 

When the time came for him to take his final 
leave, Washington accompanied him to Annapo- 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 195 

lis, as if to enjoy to the latest moment tlie com- 
pany of one he loved so well. 

A farewell letter, written after his return to 
Mount Yernon, expressed his tender feelings to- 
ward the departed guest, and showed how sadly 
lie realized that this would be their last meeting 
on earth. He says : 

" In the moment of our separation, upon the 
road as I travelled, and every hour since, I have 
felt all that love, respect, and attachment for 
you, with which length of years, close connec- 
tions, and your merit have inspired me. I often 
asked myself, as our carriages separated, whe- 
ther that was the last sight I ever should have 
of you ? And, though I wished to answer no, 
mv fears answered yes. I called to mind the 
days of my youth, and found that they had long 
since fled to return no more ; that I was now 
descending the hill I had been fifty-two years in 
climbing, and that, though I was blessed with a 
good constitution, I was of a short-lived family, 
and might soon expect to be entombed in the 
mansion of my fathers. These thoughts dark- 
ened the shades, and gave a gloom to the pic- 
ture, and consequently to my prospect of ever 
seeing you *again." 



196 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 



When Lafayette came again to visit America, 
in August, 1824, and was received with joy as 
the nation's guest, his friend had departed, and 
he could only weep as a little child over his 
grave. 




LITE OF WASHINGTON. 197 



CHAPTEE XIX. 

•Washington's interest in public improvements — Establish- 
ment of the Potomac and James river companies — Extent 
of Mount Vernon — Regular hours — Washington laughing 
a^ the judges — Death of General Greene — Unsettled state 
of the government — Meeting of the general convention — 
Washington chosen president — His triumphant jouraey 
to the capital — Reception at Trenton — His inauguration 
— ^Rejoicings at New York. 

From what we have said of Washington's do- 
mestic habits, and his interests and occupations 
at Mount Yernon, it may possibly be supposed 
that he had at this time quite shut himseK off 
from pubhc affairs ; but this was not the case. 
Now that the war was over, and peaceful em- 
ployments began again to occupy the people's 
mind, they naturally looked around to consider 
what were the best means for promoting the 
agricultural and commercial interests of the 
country. There were large tracts of land whose 
resources were not yet developed, and rivers 
whose waters were still scarcely navigated. 

The Potomac and James rivers, which inter- 
17* 



198 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

sected so wide an expanse of country, were of 
great importance to the States of Virginia and 
Maryland ; and througli the exertions of Wash- 
ington, two companies were formed for opening 
their navigation. 

He was appointed president of both com- 
panies, and as a mark of gratitude and esteem, 
the government of Virginia presented him ^ith 
one hundred and fifty shares, or about $40,000 
worth of the stock. But with his customary 
unwilHngness to receive any reward for his ser- 
vices to his country, he decHned to accept them 
for his own benefit, yet held them in trust for 
the endowment of some college or institution of 
learning. 

Among the papers still preserved at Mount 
Vernon is a diagram or drawing of the lawns 
and grounds about his house, made by himself, 
with the places marked on it for particular trees 
and shrubs, which he intended to plant there. 
These trees are many of them still standing, 
and the holly hedges, now so large and luxuri- 
ant in growth, came from the seeds that Wash- 
ington sowed in little furrows during those first 
months after the war was ended. 

The estate of Mount Vernon was of itself a 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 199 

large one ; but, besides tliis, there were four 
other farms adjoining it, over which he had 
placed overseers, who managed them subject to 
his direction. Altogether, the whole amount 
of land included in the domain was three thou- 
sand two hunflred and sixty acres, besides 
several hundred acres of woodland. His live- 
stock consisted of fifty-four horses, twelve mules, 
three hundred and seventeen head of cattle, 
and three hundred and sixty sheep, . besides 
many swine, which last ran loose in the woods. 
Yet, with all this vast estate, he knew every 
field, and what kinds of crops were best suited 
to the soil. He studied works on agriculture 
and gardening, and obtained the best varieties 
of seeds and shrubs, while, in managing his 
farms, he kept the most exact accounts, and re- 
quired the same precision in those he employed. 
Many might well wonder how he found hours 
enough in the day for aU this work ; for, be- 
sides the general supervision of his estate, there 
were letters without number daily pouring in 
upon him from aU parts of the country ; artists 
came to paint his portraits ; and visitors, led 
thither by curiosity or esteem, were constantly 
invading his seclusion. But his day's work be- 



200 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. " 

gan . before the cla^vTi, and mucli of his cor- 
respondence was accomplished while the rest 
of the household slept. 

At half -past seven he breakfasted, after which 
he mounted his horse, and took the circuit of 
his estate, which gave him a ride of ten or 
twelve miles each morning. Half-past two was 
his hour for dinner, which was always a plain 
but plentiful repast. After dinner he enter- 
tained his guests, or, if no company were there, 
he would write until dark, and in the evening 
he enjoyed the society of his family, which con- 
sisted of his wife and her grandchildren, the 
children of Parke Custis. 

He is said to have been " a silent and thought- 
ful man," yet one or two instances are given by 
his biographers in which he was known to laugh 
heartily at some amusing scene. On one occa- 
sion, several years after the Revolution, Judge 
Marshall and Judge Washington, a relative of 
the General, were on their way, on horseback, 
to visit Mount Yernon, attended by a black ser- 
vant, who had charge of a large portmanteau 
containing their clothes. As they passed 
through a wood on the skirts of the Mount 
Yernon ground, they were tempted to make a 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 201 

liasty toilet beneath its shade, being covered 
with dust from the state of the roads. Dis- 
mounting, they threw off their dusty garments, 
while the servant took down the portmanteau. 
As he opened it, out flew cakes of Windsor 
soap, and fancy articles of all kinds. The man, 
by mistake, had changed their portmanteau at 
the last stopping-place for one which resembled 
it, belonging to a Scotch pedler. The consterna- 
tion of the negro, and their own dismantled state, 
struck them so ludicrously as to produce loud 
and repeated hursts of laughter. Washington, 
who happened to be out upon his grounds, was 
attracted by the noise, and so overcome by the 
strange plight of his friends, and the whimsi- 
cality of the whole scene, that he is said to have 
actually rolled on the grass with -laughter."^ 

It was during this season of quiet retirement, 
that Washington received the news of the death 
of his friend and compatriot. General Greene, 
who died at his home in Georgia, at the age of 
forty-four. " He was a great and good man," 
writes Washington, who mourned for him as for 
a brother. 

* Note by Washington IiTing. 



202 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Up to this time, there had been no perma- 
nent system of government agreed upon for the 
United States. Each State governed itself by 
its own legislature, but no general constitution 
had as yet been adopted for the perfect estab- 
lishment of a federal union, or binding together 
of the whole thirteen States to form one undi- 
vided nation. The different States held differ- 
ing views on many points, and from his quiet 
home Washington watched anxiously until all 
these important matters should be settled. 

In many quarters the people were afraid to 
trust Congress with too much liberty, lest the 
rights of State governments should be en- 
croached on ; but this fear Washington openly 
proclaimed to be "the very chmax of popular 
absurdity and madness." He saw plainly trouble 
was at hand, and that the very people who had 
fought so bravely for the liberty to govern them- 
selves, were now ready to quarrel about the 
proper way in which they should do it. 

In Massachusetts troubles began to assume % 
serious form, and in the autumn of 1786, this 
spirit of dissension broke out into open rebel- 
lion. Providentially, however, it was checked 
'ffithout much actual bloodshed. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 203 

But good men and irue jDatriots still lived in 
all parts of the land, and through their urgency 
it was decided at length that a general conven- 
tion should be held in the s]3ring of 1787, at 
Philadelphia. This was to consist of delegates 
from all the States, and to this body should be 
intrusted the great duty of framing a Constitu- 
tion for the new nation. 

Washington was a member of the delegation 
from Yirginia, and was^ chosen to preside over 
the whole convention. In this work were en- 
gaged the greatest minds of the times, and the 
experience of nearly eighty years has shown us 
the great value of the Constitution which w^as 
then prepared and adopted. During the follow- 
ing year this Constitution was submitted to the 
votes of the several States, and all but two were 
in favor of its adoption. Thus, in 1789, the 
United States were ready to elect their first 
president, and take position among the great 
nations of the earth. 

And now all eyes were turned to Washington, 
the man who had worked out the problem of 
independence, and conducted the new nation to 
its present auspicious starting-point. Nothing 
but his true patriotism and earnest interest in the 



204 , LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

public welfare could have indiiced him to leaTe 
once more his quiet home ; and in a letter writ- 
ten at that time to one of his friends, he thus 
expresses his feelings : 

"The great Searcher of human hearts is fny 
witness that I have no wish which aspires be- 
yond the humble and happy lot of living and 
dying a private citizen on my own farm." 

But a strong conviction of duty compelled 
him to accept the office of President of the 
United States, to which he was unanimously 
elected by all the thirteen States. 

On the 16th of April, 1789, he set Out for New 
York, which was then the capital of the nation, 
having first paid a farewell visit to his mother 
at Fredericksburg. She was at that time 
suffering from an incurable disease, and the 
thought that this was probably their last meet- 
ing in this world, must have saddened both their 
hearts. 

In his diary on the day of his departure for 
New York, he writes : " About ten o'clock, I 
bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, 
and to domestic felicity ; and with a mind op- 
pressed with more anxious and painful sensa- 
tions than I have words to express, set out for 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 205 

New York, with the best disposition to render 
service to my country, in obedience to its call, 
but with less hope of answering its expecta- 
tions." 

As he proceeded on his way, he was met 
Vvith continued rejoicings and welcomes. Ev- 
erywhere, bells were rung, cannon were fired, 
triumphal arches raised, and cavalcades of the 
most respectable citizens came out to escort 
him through the towns. It was before the days 
of railroads or steamboats, so that a private 
carriage, or on horseback, were the modes by 
which he travelled. 

As he approached Philadelphia, a splendid 
white horse was led out for him to ride upon, 
and the numbers of his escort increased by 
constant accessions from the surrounding coun- 
try, until a grand procession was formed, which 
passed under triumphal arches entwined with 
laurel, and built across the streets through which 
they were to go. 

From Philadelphia he continued his journey 
through Trenton, crossing the river at the same 
point where only twelve years before he had 
made the perilous voyage amid darkness, snow, 
and floating ice, to surprise the sleeping 
18 



206 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

Hessians. Now all was changed ; and there, 
across the same bridge over the Assanpink, 
where Cornwallis had encamped, and waited 
for the morning, to give battle to the patriot 
army, but wakened to find himself out-gen- 
eralled, and his prize gone, a splendid arch was 
erected, covered with evergreens, and bearing 
the inscrijjtion — " The Defender of the Mo- 

THEES WILL BE THE PkOTECTOR OF THE DAUGH- 
TERS." 

Here were assembled the principal ladies of 
Trenton, who bowed and waved their handker- 
chiefs as he passed, while the younger ones, 
dressed in white, and crowned with wreaths, 
scattered flowers in his path, and sang a song 
of welcome and gratitude. 

Such were the signs of a nation's love which 
followed him everywhere until his arrival in 
New York, where, by his own request, he was 
permitted to walk to his residence, through 
crowded streets, decorated with flags, garlands, 
and evergreens. 

On the 30th of April the inauguration took 
place on the balcony of the old City Hall, in 
presence of the immense crowd that had 
gathered to witness the solemn ceremony. But 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 207 

previously, at nine o'clock in the morning, re- 
ligious services were held in all the churches of 
the city, and prayers were offered, that the 
blessing of Almighty God might rest upon the 
new Government. 

When Washington appeared on the balcony 
he was hailed by a universaT shout of joy, 
which was as suddenly hushed into silence as 
the solemn oath of office was about to be ad- 
ministered. On a table was placed a large 
Bible, which lay upon a cushion of crimson vel- 
vet, and as the oath was read slowly and dis- 
tinctly by the Chancellor of the State of New 
York, Washington laid his hand on its open 
pages. At the conclusion he said with great 
solemnity, " I swear — so help me God !" Then, 
bowing down, he reverently kissed the holy 
book. 

When all was over, the Chancellor came for- 
ward to the front, and waved his hand to the 
people, exclaiming, " Long live George Wash- 
ington, President of the United States !" This 
was the signal for a general rejoicing, and the 
event was published by a discharge of artillery 
and the ringing of bells, with a display of fire- 
works in the evening. 



208 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



Returning to the Senate Chamber, the new 
President delivered his inaugural address, and 
at its close he proceeded ^vith the entire as- 
sembly, on foot, to St. Paul's church, where 
suitable prayers concluded the services. 




4 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 209 



CHAPTEK XX. 

Auspicious beginning of his term of oflBce — Arrangement 
of hours — His regard for the Lord's Day — Alarming ill- 
ness — Death of his mother — Her character — Choosing 
oflBcers — Debt of the countiy — Hamilton's plan for pay- 
ing it — Location of the National Capital — Troubles in 
France — Lafayette sends the key of the Bastille — Visit to 
Rhode Island — Return to Mount Vernon — Expedition 
against the Indians — Washmgton's message to the hostile 
tribes — Congress meets at Philadelphia — United States 
Bank chartered — Opposition to the measure. 

Thus, witli the blessing of God invoked upon 
his efforts, did this great man begin his admin- 
istration. No wonder that wisdom marked all 
his counsels and directed his actions, for he 
placed his trust in the Euler of Nations rather 
than in his own unaided abilitj. What an ex- 
ample for his successors, both as governors and 
citizens ! As an evidence, too, that he had ac- 
cepted the office from no motives of gain, he 
declined at the outset to receive any compensa- 
tion for his services, beyond what was needed 
to meet the additional expenses incurred by his 
public station. 

And now, as soon as he liad become settled 
18* 



210 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

in his home in New York, lie was besieged with 
office-seekers and visitors, who came either for 
business or to pay their compliments, and it 
soon became necessary for him to fix on cer- 
tain days when he would receive all who 
chose to come. For any special business he 
was to be found whenever an interview was de- 
sired, but every Tuesday he was at home to all 
who chose to come, during certain hours ; while 
on Friday evenings Mrs. Washington held her 
receptions, at which he was also present. 

"With these arrangements he found rather 
more time to attend to his own private busi- 
ness and correspondence, as well as to examine 
the weekly accounts of the manager of Mount 
Yernon, which A\ere always duly attended to, 
and answered every \\ eek. His interest in ag- 
riculture never flagged. 

On Sunday morning he always attended 
Divine service at Trinity Church, or St. Paul's 
Chapel, and spent the afternoon in the privacy 
of his own apartment — the evening being 
passed quietly with his family ; but no visitors, 
unless those most intimately acquainted, were 
ever admitted on that day. 

Before the summer was over Wasliingtou was 



tu.1 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 211 

prostrated with alarming illness, Vliich, for 
several weeks, seemed to threaten his life.; but 
knowing his danger, he was calm and quiet, and 
expressed his willingness to die, if the time had 
come. " Whether to-night, or twenty years 
hence," he said to the doctor, *' makes no differ- 
ence : I am not afraid to die, and 1 know that I 
am in the hands of a good Providence." His 
sufferings were very gTeat, and for a long time 
he was unable to lie upon his left side, but by a 
slow recovery he was once more restored to a 
measure of health, although he never quite re- 
gained his former strength. 

Before he had fully recovered, came the news 
of his mother's death, which occurred at Fred- 
ericksburg on the 25th of August, at the ripe 
age of eighty-two. In his own weak state, he 
was much affected by it, and wrote to his sister 
as follows : " Awful and affecting as the death 
of a parent is, there is consolation in knowing 
that Heaven has spared ours to an age beyond 
which few attain, and favored her with the full 
enjoyment of her mental faculties, and as much 
bodily strength as usually falls to the lot of 
fourscore. Under these considerations, and the 
hope that she is translated to a happier place, 



212 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

it is the duty of her relatives to yield due sub- 
mission to the decrees of the Creator. When 
I was . last at Fredericksburg I took a final 
leave of my mother, never expecting to see her 
more." . 

Mary, the mother of Washington, was a 
woman of strong mind and vigorous bodily 
powers, simple in her manners, upright in char- 
acter, and strict in enforcing obedience from 
her children. She, no doubt, felt a mother's 
pride in the glorious career of her son, but her 
good sense prevented her from making any out- 
ward change in her Hving or deportment. Dur- 
ing the forty-six years of her widowhood she 
had continued in the same home where she had 
trained her little orphan flock in the ways of 
virtue and religion ; and there, in after years, 
they were always welcomed with a mother's love. 
Of her son's perfect obedience, and regard for 
all her wishes, we have before spoken : in this, 
as in so many other ways, he has left a bright 
example to the boys of succeeding ages. 

As is the case even at this day, the new Presi- 
dent had a great deal of work before him in 
choosing and appointing suitable members of 
his Cabiaet, and heads of departments; but 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 213 

Wasliington was guided in his selections by 
such considerations as should alone influence 
one in his position. He chose the men whose 
principles he knew to be sound, and Avhose abil- 
ities for the work had been well proven. 

Thomas Jefferson, the writer of the Declara- 
tion of Independence, was appointed Secretary 
of State ; Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the 
Treasury ; Edmund Eandolph, Attorney-Gener- 
al ; General Knox, Secretary of War ; and John 
Jay, Chief -Justice of the Supreme Court. 

These were all wise appointments, and the 
Treasury department especially, demanded im- 
mediate attention. Of course the war had 
brought heavy debts, and all the States were 
suffering more or less fi'om this cause : the 
credit of the country was very low, for as yet 
its resources were not developed. Its vast beds 
of coal and their value were then unknown ; the 
Teins of precious metals, and of iron, lead, and 
copper, which in our day are so great a source 
of wealth, were at that time buried in the earth. 
Cotton was only beginning to be raised in any 
quantity ; manufactures of any kind were scarce- 
ly begun, and the people were few compared 
with the present vast population. 



214 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

The debt, at tlie opening of the year 1790, 
when the Congress reassembled, amounted to 
the sum of fifty-four millions of dollars, of which 
about twelve millions were owed to parties in 
France, Holland, and Spain ; the balance of 
forty-two millions being due to those at home 
who had aided in the struggle for independence, 
either as soldiers, or by lending money and fur- 
nishing provisions for tlie army. Besides this 
general debt, each State had incurred debts of 
its own during the war. 

Individuals who had assisted the cause, had 
received the pledges of the government ; but 
many of them being pressed for money, had 
parted with them at a much less price than, 
they were really wortli, so that the debt was 
now not all owed to the original holders of the 
paper ; but the debt itself remained, and some 
arrangement must be made for its payment. 

So tliis was the important question which 
occupied the attention of Congress, and Alex- 
ander Hamilton proposed a plan for assumiug 
the whole debt of the country, which was to be 
paid gradually, by a general taxation. This 
proposal passed finally, though not without 
much discussion and objection, a feeling of 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 215 

jealousy between the North and tlie South being 
even then perceptible. 

During this session of Congress was settled, 
also, the vexed question as to the location of the 
Capital of the United States — it being finally 
determined to remove the seat of government 
next year to Philadelphia, where it should re- 
main during the ten years following, while 
suitable buildiags were being erected for its 
permanent accommodation at some point on 
the Potomac, this being considered a more 
central, and, therefore, a better place for Con- 
gress to meet. With these two important ques- 
tions settled, Washington now hoped for future 
harmony. 

Wliile all this was transpiring at home, the 
great French Eevolution was progressing, with 
his much-loved Lafayette as its leader. Having 
so lately passed safely through the same peril- 
ous position himself, and well aware of the 
greater danger of his friend's situation, he 
watched each moment as anxiously as if he felt 
some personal interest in the affairs of France. 

He wrote thus to the Marquis of Luzeri 
" Of one thing you may rest perfectly assur* 
that nobody is more anxious for the hap 



( 

I 



216 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

issue of that business than I am, as no one can 
wish more sincerely for the prosperity of the 
French nation than I do. Nor is it without the 
most sensible pleasure that I leam that our 
friend, the Marquis de Lafayette, has, in acting 
the arduous part which has fallen to his share, 
conductecl himself with so much wisdom, and, 
apparently, with such general satisfaction." 

Two months later came a letter from La- 
fayette himself, full of hope for the cause of 
liberty in his native land, and with it a present 
of the key of the " Bastille," which he had de- 
molished during the first days of the revolution. 
The " Bastille" was a dreadful prison in Paris, 
in which were confined many poor creatures, 
who had been cast in there secretly because 
they had committed some slight offences against 
the despotic government ; and most of them had 
languis-ied there for years, and now came forth 
into the liglit as living skeletons, to tell the 
horrors they had endured. 

The messenger who brought the key, forward- 
ed it Avith these words : " I feel myself happy 
in being the person through whom the Marquis 
lias conveyed this early trophy of the spoils of 
lespotism, and the first ripe fruits of American 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 217' 

principles transplanted into Europe, to liis great 
master and patron. That the principles of 
America oj)ened the Bastille is not to be 
doubted, and, therefore, the key comes to the 
right place." 

We need scarcely acid that it was received 
by Washington as a precious relic, and it is 
still preserved at Mount Yernon. 

Soon after the adjournment of Congxess, 
Washington paid a visit to Rhode Island, 
which had lately been admitted into the Union ; 
and then, having returned to New York, he once 
more set out for his own home at Mount Yernon, 
where he wished to enjoy the pleasures of soK- 
tude until the time for it to reassemble. • 

During the recess of Congress, Washington 
despatched an expedition to check the hostile 
Indians on the Western frontiers, in the 
neighborhood of the Wabash and Miami riv- 
ers, wh,ich was then a dense and howHng wilder- 
ness, abounding with wild beasts and salvages. 
These latter were constantly making attacks, 
and committing outrages upon the peaceable 
settlers in that region, and the President con- 
sidered it his duty to send troops for their pro- 
tection. 

19 



218 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

This little body of soldiers fought bravely 
with their savage enemies in several bloody 
battles, bnt came off with heavy loss : they, 
however, succeeded in destroying many of the 
Indians' villages, and inspiring them mth some 
respect for their white neighbors. 

But Washington's great desire was to civilize 
the Indians rather than to exterminate them. 
He wished to purchase then* lands at a fair 
price, and to teach them the arts of agidcul- 
ture. So, when three Seneca chiefs offered to 
visit the more warlike tribes, and persuade them 
to bury the hatchet, which was their way of 
proclaiming peace, the President explained to 
them his friendly wishes, at the same time warn- 
ing them that the United States were able, and 
would certainly punish them for all their rob- 
beries and murders. Yet their savage tempers 
Avere not to be controlled by these persuasions 
or warnings, and their ravages at length grew 
so intolerable, that war was the only thing to 
be thought of. These wars continued during 
several years, until, after many disasters to our 
army. General Wajne gained a decisive victory, 
•and the troubles were finally ended by a treaty 
of peace. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 219 

In December, 1790, tlie seat oi goyernment 
was changed to Philadelphia, and Congress met 
there in the old State House, now kno^^vn as " In- 
dependence Hall," the President of course re- 
mo\dng his household to the same city. Some 
pleasant recollections of his residence there, are 
given in the Life of Bishop "White, ^vho was at 
that time the Bishop of Pennsylvania, and 
'Eector of Christ Church, to which congregation 
Washington belonged. A part of the old pew 
which he used to occupy there is preserved in 
the east room of Independence Hall, together 
with other interesting relics, and many valuable 
portraits of the great men of those days. In 
the Church, Bishop White held somewhat the 
same position as that which Washington held 
in the State — a loyal leader, and supporter of 
American views and American interests. 

This year, the United States Bank was char- 
tered, and went into operation wdth a capital of 
ten millions of doUars, after much discussion in 
Congress, some being warmly in favor of the 
measure, and others fearful of bad consequen- 
ces from the issue of a paper currency. There 
were also other topics of warm discussion, such 
as taxes and the rules of trade, and parties be- 



220 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

gan to be formed wliicli took decided stands, 
and were represented by leading men. 

In tlie Cabinet, Jefferson and Randolph were 
opposed to the bank question, and other pro- 
posed plans for paying off thfe debt of the conn- 
try by taxation ; while Hamilton and Knox took 
the other side, and believed that such measures 
were necessary to strengthen the General Gov- 
ernment. Those who held the former views 
were known as Repubhcans, or Democrats, 
and the others as FederaHsts ; they soon be- 
came powerful parties, extending throughout 
the length and breadth of the land. 

Washington belonged to neither party ; but 
weighing these important matters impartially, 
and with an unprejudiced mind, he cast his vote 
in favor of the bank. High rose the commo- 
tions and disputes between the opposite parties ; 
yet there was one subject on which all were 
thus far agreed and united — theii* love and rev- 
erence for Washington. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 221 



CHAPTEE XXI. 

Tour through the Southern States — Brief stay at Mount 
Vernon — Re-election — French Revolution— Death of Louis 
XVL — Washington's anxiety for Lafayette — War between 
France and England — Course of the United States — Dis- 
satisfaction of some of the people — Improper conduct of 
England — Washington's desire to settle the difficulties 
without war — Mr. Jay sent out — A treaty of commerce 
and peace — Insolent behavior of the French Minister — 
His recall demanded by Washington — James Monroe sent 
over to France — His cordial reception — The whiskey in- 
surrection — Signing of Jay's treaty — Amval of George 
Washington Lafayette — Washington's efforts for his fa- 
ther's release — Reunion of the family. 

In tlie montli of March, 1791, Washington 
started on a tour through the Southern States, 
and travelled nearly nineteen hundred miles 
with the same horses, stopping at some of the 
principal places in Yirginia, the Carolinas, and 
Georgia, and being absent about twelve weeks. 
The object of this tour was that he might see 
the state of the country and learn the views of 
the people ; and the favorable opinion he re- 
19* 



222 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

ceived in this personal inspection is recorded in 
his written account of the journey. 

In the Autumn, he once more came to pass a 
few weeks in his home at Mount Yemon, and only 
with regret did he again leave it to return to the 
busy cares of the government. No wonder that 
he now began to count the months that must in- 
tervene before his term of office would expire, 
for he was weary with the poUtical strifes and 
discussions that were to be heard on every hand. 
At that time he was firm in his resolve to retire 
into private life at the end of the four years for 
which he had been elected. 

But in 1792 came the next election, and the 
leaders of the two political parties, as well as 
his personal fi'iends everywliere, ha\dng urged 
him, for the good of the country at that critical 
period, to remain at the head of its government, 
he reluctantly yielded to their wishes, and con- 
sented, for his country's sake, to give up for 
four years longer those sweet rutal enjoyments 
which were his highest dream of happiness. 
Again he was chosen by a unanimous election, 
and on the fourth of March, 1793, took the oath 
of office for the second time. 

The bloody revolution in France was still 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 223 

going on, and Louis XYI., the king who had re- 
membered us in our time of trouble, fell a victim 
to the mob. "When the news came that the king 
was beheaded, some who remembered his gener- 
ous assistance to this country, were filled with 
grief, while others hailed the event as the signal 
of triumph for the republican party. 

But in France a dreadful scene was being 
enacted, and " the reign of terror" had indeed 
commenced. People were thrown into prison 
upon mere suspicion, and in a few days were 
dragged forth tO the guillotine. Washington 
was shocked at such atrocities, committed in 
the name of liberty, and full of grief at the 
intelligence that Lafayette was in prison. In 
all the fidelity of his nature, he at once thought 
of the destitution and loneliness of his friend's 
wife and family, and despatched a letter of sym- 
pathy to the Marchioness, accompanied with a 
sum of money for her use. 

In the Spring came also the news of war be- 
tween France and England, and something was 
to be at once decided on, as re.^arded the course 
that the United States should take, whether of al- 
liance with France, or entire neutrahty. Wash- 
ington hastened to Philadelphia to consult his 



224 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Cabinet on the subject, for already parties were 
forming, and privateers were being fitted out. 
These last were ships that were to sail out and 
plunder or capture vessels belonging to the 
nations which were at war. 

Washington decided in favor of neutrality on 
the part of the United States, not from any 
preference for England, but from motives of 
prudence, for he knew well that we were as yet 
in no condition to plunge again into a war in 
which we had nothing to gain, yet might lose so 
much. But then there were many who blamed 
him for this decision, and spoke evil of his pure 
name, declaring that this was a plain proof of 
his partiality for England. For the first time 
whispers were heard against him in certain 
quarters — so soon were his former services and 
sacrifices likely to be forgotten. 

The republican, or democratic party, as it 
was called, were so desirous of aiding France, 
that the President's wish to stand aloof from 
the contest was called a mark of ingratitude to 
that country, and by that party his proclama- 
tion, forbidding all persons to take part in the 
war, was treated with scorn and indignation. 
But nothing could make him change his decree 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 225 

when duty was so plainly before him. " I have 
a consolation within," he writes to Governor 
Lee, of Virginia, " that no earthly effort can 
deprive me of, and that is, that neither ambi- 
tious nor interested motives have influenced my 
conduct. The arrows of malevolence, therefore, 
however barbed and well-pointed, can never 
reach the most vulnerable part of me ; though, 
whilst I am set up as a mark, they will be con- 
tinually aimed." 

No wonder that, with all these irritating cir- 
cumstances surrounding him, he repented of 
having accepted a second term of office, and, 
sick of pubHc life, longed for the seclusion of 
his lovely home. But, while the war in Europe 
continued, there was little hope of quietness in 
America, so decided and outspoken were the 
opinions of tlie people. 

On the first of January, 1794, Thomas Jeffer- 
son, the able Secretary of State, retired from 
the Cabinet, much against the wishes of the 
President, who held the highest opinion of his 
services and talents. He was succeeded by Ed- 
mimd Eandolph — William Bradford taking his 
place as Attorney-General. 

From the close of the Eevolution up to this 



226 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

time the behavior of England towards the 
United States had been very unsatisfactory, and 
there was a long list of giievances which that 
nation persisted in keeping up. There was a 
continued evidence of hostile feehng, which 
was shown in various acts of injustice and dis- 
regard of treaties; They still held the military 
posts on the fi'ontiers, though they had prom- 
ised to leave them ; they tampered constantly 
with the Indians, and encouraged them to com- 
mit outrages on our people ; they searched our 
vessels on the high seas, and forced our seamen 
into their service, while their privateers seized 
and robbed our ships. Last of all, they inter- 
fered with our commerce, by stopping all ships 
going from our ports with • cargoes of corn or 
flour to France, and also all ships bringing 
French goods to us. Thus things were gi^owing 
worse and worse, and the encroachments and 
insolence of Great Britain would well have 
warranted the United States in once more pro- 
claiming war. 

But Washington wished to avert such a 
calamity, prefemng to settle the questions 
peaceably, if possible, though, in the mean time, 
he recommended Congress to put the country in 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 227 

a state of defence, in case all other means of 
adjusting the difficulty should fail. With the 
good of his country at heart before all other 
questions, he proposed to the Senate that John 
Jay sliould be sent as an envoy to England, 
with instructions to settle the grievances. " My 
objects are," he wrote to Mr. Kandolph, "to 
prevent a war, if justice can be obtained by fair 
and strong representations of the injuries which 
this country has sustained from Great Britain 
in various ways, to put it into a complete state 
of military defence, and to provide eventually 
for the execution of such measures as seem to 
be now pending in Congress, if negotiation in 
a reasonable time proves unsuccessful." 

Mr. Jay was accordingly sent, and a treaty of 
commerce and friendship was the result ; not 
quite as full and complete as Washington could 
have wished, but one that it was honorable for 
us to accept, and far better than a war, which at 
that time might have brought ruin on the new 
Kepublic. In all this, we who live at this day, 
can see and appreciate the wisdom of Washing- 
ton ; but bitter indeed was the discord that was 
heard among the people, both in Congress and 
out of it. 



228 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Mr. Genet, the Frencli minister at this time, 
had made himself very offensive and trouble- 
some to the government, seeming determined, 
if possible, to draw us into a war with England, 
by forcing us to take sides with France. That 
part of the people which sympathized so warmly 
with the latter nation, acted very imprudently 
by treating him with marked admiration, and 
wherever he went, they cheered him as if he 
were some noted character. His own actions, 
from his first landing in Charleston, were strange, 
and he mistakenly thought that this wild excite- 
ment of the mob showed the true feehngs and 
intentions of the government. He himself rep- 
resented the bloody revolutionists of France, 
and seemed to think that as we had just passed 
through a revolution ourselves, we ought to ap- 
prove of the lawless and violent acts that had 
stained their own course. 

But however they may have both grown out 
of a desire for liberty, the American Eevolution 
had been disgraced by no such dreadful scenes 
as had taken place in France ; and Genet's dis- 
orderly conduct showed too plainly that he still 
held the same extreme views as had led his unhaj)- 
py countrymen into such fatal mistakes. "WTien 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 229 

informed of tlie intention of this government to 
remain neutral, lie made improper reflections 
upon its decision, reproached it with ingratitude 
to France, and scorned and defied its authority, 
until, when his conduct had become intolerable, 
Washington demanded of the French govern- 
ment that he should be recalled, and another 
sent in his place. This was at once done, our 
own minister to France being likewise changed. 

James Monroe, tli,e new American Minister, 
who succeeded Gouverneur Morris, arrived at a 
time of great commotion, when a better sj)irit 
was beginning to prevail in that distracted 
country. Kobespierre, the tyrant whose very 
n§,me is handed down by history as that of a 
most wi '} ed and bloodthirsty man, had ended 
his days on the scaffold, where so many others 
had perished by his orders, and thus the " reign 
of terror" was over. Mr. Monroe was just the 
man to enter into the spirit of the hour, and he 
w^as welcomed by the French Convention then 
sitting, with the most cordial feelings, while the 
American and French flags were hung together 
in the hall where they were assembled, as a 
token of friendship between the two republics. 

In the summer of 1794, another trouble arose. 
20 



230 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



1 



The new ^xcise law, laying a tax on whiskey, 
and other spirituous liquors, with the intention 
of increasing the revenue of the country, had 
been very unpopular with many of those who 
were engaged m the business of distilling them, 
and in many places it was kQOT^^l that the law 
was evaded, and the taxes unpaid. With a* view 
to correct this evil, marshals were appointed 
who were to exercise the strictest vigilance and 
arrest all persons engaged in this secret traffic. 
These orders led to an insurrection in the 
western part of Pennsylvania, of such a serious 
character, that the mihtary were called out to 
suppress it, and "Washington himself left Phila- 
delphia to lead the army. 

Wien the armed insurgents, who had gath- 
ered in large numbers to oppose the laws, saw 
the alarming measures that were to be adopted, 
they discreetly concluded to give up their riot- 
ous intentions, and return to their homes ; thus 
the difficulty was ended without bloodshed, and 
they were shown the authority of the law, and 
the ability of the government to enforce it. A 
regiment of soldiers under General Morgan were 
left to guard the neighborhood during the win- 
ter, but there was no further outbreak. 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 231 

The first seeds from whence these lawless 
proceedings had grown, were sown by the 
troublesome Genet, who, during his stay, did 
all he could to start secret societies, whose chief 
tendencies were to oppose this good government, 
and encourage discord among the people. But 
fortunately these things wore themselves out in 
time, and as the public confidence increased, 
these murmurings subsided. 

On the 18th of August, 1795, Washington 
signed Mr. Jay's treaty with England, to which 
we have before alluded, and thus for the present 
all fears of war with that nation were at rest. 
This year also, George Washington Lafayette, 
son of the Marquis, arrived in this country, with 
his tutor, and Washington received him cordial- 
ly, and took him at once under his protection. 
Among the many occurrences which annoyed 
and distressed the mind of the President, was 
the continued captivity of his friend, who had 
now been in prison for many months, first in 
Prussia,, and then in Austria. 

Washington had used all the means in his 
power to obtain his release, and at last wrote 
himself to the Emperor, begging for his pardon. 
" What influence this letter may have had on 



232 LIFE or WASHINGTON. 

the mind of the Emperor," says Sparks, " or on 
the fate of Lafayette, is not known. When 
restored to liberty, he was dehvered over, by 
order of the Austrian government, to the Amer- 
ican consul at Hamburg." 

On the 19th of September, 1797, Lafayette 
was released, and his son, having sailed for 
France on the first rumor of such good news, 
rejoined his family in Germany. 

Washington, who lost no opportunity of ex- 
pressing his love and fiiendship, wrote thus, by 
the hands of his namesake : 

" This letter, I hope and expect, will be pre- 
sented to you by your son, who is highly de- 
serving of such parents as you and your amia- 
ble lady. 

" He can relate, much better than I can de- 
scribe, my participation in your sufferings, my 
solicitude for your relief, the measures I 
adopted, though ineffectual, to facilitate your 
liberation from an unjust and cruel imprison- 
ment, and the joy I experienced at the news of 
its accomplishment. I shall hasten, therefore, 
to congratulate you, and be assured that no one 
can do it with more cordiality, with more sin- 
cerity, or with greater affection, on the restora- 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 



233 



tion of that liberty wliich every act of your life 
entitles you to tlie enjoyment of ; and I hope I 
may add, to the uninterrupted possession of 
your estates, and the confidence of your coun- 
try." 




20* 



234 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



CHAPTEB XXII. 

Washington's Farewell Address — John Adams and Thomas 
Jefferson elected President and Vice-President — Wash- 
ington's last meeting with Congress — Farewell dinner — 
Inauguration of the new President — Return to Mount 
Vernon — Washington once more hears his country call 
— Prospect of war with France — Matters peacefully ar- 
ranged — Winter at Mount Vernon — Alarming illness — 
Preparations for death — Closing scenes — Funeral — Ac- 
tion of Congress — Sorrow of the people — His will — Pro- 
vision for his slaves — His views of slavery. 

It was on the 15tli of September, 1796, that 
Washington published his celebrated " Fare- 
well Address" to the people of the United 
States ; so that long before the election it was 
known that he was resolved to retire fi'om office, 
and, indeed, no inducements could now have 
persuaded him to continue in his arduous posi- 
tion. This Address is a master-piece of com- 
position, and contains the same wise coimsels 
and rare insight into the wants of the country 
which had always marked his pubhc speeches. 
We will but quote the concluding paragraphs, 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 235 

for the whole should be studied by every Amer- 
ican boy who is old enough to read these pages : 

" Though, in reviewing the incidents of my 
administration, I am un^^onscious of intentional 
error, I am nevertheless too sensible of my de- 
fects not to think it probable that I may have 
committed many errors. Whatever they may 
be, I fervently besoecli the Almighty to avert 
or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. 
I shall also carry with i e the hope that my 
country will never cease to view them with in- 
dulgence ; and that after forty-five years of my 
life dedicated to its service, with an upright 
zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be 
consigned to oblivion, as myseK must soon be 
to the mansions of rest. 

" Relying on its kindness in t is, as in other 
things, and actuated by that fervent love to- 
ward it, which is so natural to a man who view^ 
in it the native soil of himself and his progeni- 
tors for several generations, I anticipate with 
pleasing expectation that retreat in which I 
promise myself to realize without alloy the 
sweet enjoyment of partaking, in the midst of 
my fellow-citizens, the benign influence of good 
laws, under a free government, the ever favorite 



236 • LIFE or WASHINGTON. 

object of mj heart, and the happy reward, as I 
trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers." 

The election resulted in the choice of John 
Adams, the former Yice-President, as President, 
and Thomas Jefferson for Vice-President. On 
the 7th of December Washington met Congress 
for the last time, a*nd in his parting speech took 
a comprehensive view of the wants of the 
coimtrj, and explained the state of its foreign 
relations — recommending, also, the estabhsh- 
ment of several national schools and a gradual 
increase of the navy. 

Several of his letters, ^\Titten about this time, 
show how anxiously he was looking forward to 
the pleasures of retirement. To General I^ox 
he writes : " The remainder of my life, which, 
in the course of nature, cannot be long, will be 
occupied in rural amusements ; and though I 
shall seclude myseK as much as possible from 
the noisy and bustling world, none would, more 
than myself, be regaled by the company of those 
I esteem, at Mount Yernon — more than twenty 
miles from which, after I arrive there, it is not 
likely that I shall ever be." 

"On the day before President Washington 
retired from office," says Bishop White, " a 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 237 

large company dined with him. Among them 
^vere the foreign ministers and then- ladies, Mr. 
.and Mrs. Adams, Mr. Jefferson, and other con- 
spicuous persons of both sexes. During the 
dinner much hilarity prevailed ; but on the re- 
moval of the cloth it was put an end to by the 
President, certainly without design. Having 
filled his glass, he addressed the company with 
a smile, as nearly as can be recollected, in the 
following words : * Ladies and gentlemen, this 
is the last time I shall drink your* health as a 
public man : I do it with sincerity — wishing 
you all possible happiness !' Ther&was an end 
of all pleasantry. He who gives this relation 
accidentally directed his eye to the lady of the 
British minister, Mrs. Liston, and tears were 
running down her cheeks." 

On the fourth of March, 1797, Washington 
was present as a spectator at the inauguration 
of his successor — chappy to be reHeved from the 
weight of his weary burdens, and well con- 
tented to resign his duties to one whose princi- 
ples he so heartily approved. The same even- 
ing a grand entertainment was given to him by 
the people of Philadelphia, in token of their 
respect and veneration, and On the following 



238 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

day lie set about his preparations for the jour- 
ney to Mount Yernon, where, in company with 
his family, he arrived safely, having been es- 
corted thither by many evidences of the people's 
love. 

And there he once more plunged into the 
pursuits of farming and gardening, though with 
somewhat less energy than formerly ; for he 
admitted that he was beginning to feel himself 
growing old. Even the duties of hospitality 
were more arduous to him, when the crowds of 
visitors came thronging in upon him, leaving no 
time for quietness and rest. 

But once more, before one year at Mount 
Vernon had passed away, symptoms of a war 
with France arose, and it became necessary to 
make immediate preparations in case of ex- 
tremity. In this sudden emergency they ap- 
pealed to Washington again to take the head 
of the whole army, and, with the same undying 
love for his country, he consented to act as 
their commander whenever the needful time 
should come ; and as it had been his advice be- 
fore, so he now ajDproved of speedy prepara- 
tion's for war, even in time of peace, that they 
might be ready fbr any emergency. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 239 

These arrangements were immediately begun ; 
generals WLre appointed, and an army organ- 
ized, when the French, finding how matters 
stood, and being, perhaps, somewhat afraid to 
contend with Washington's army, suddenly 
changed their tone, and expressed their wil- 
lingness to settle the differences in a friendly 
way. 

Of course, these terms were gladly accepted 
by the President, who at once sent three min- 
isters to Paris, with full power to negotiate the 
matter. 

When they reached France, Napoleon B )na- 
parte was President of the Bepubhc, and he re- 
ceived them so favorably, that all things were 
finally arranged, and war once more avoided. 

But, of course, it required several months to 
complete the treaty, and for the good news to 
be received at home, and in the mean time win- 
ter had come, with its cold storms and bleak 
winds. Washington, as usual, rode out every 
day to look after his " outposts," as he called 
the distant portions of the estate, and on the 
12th of December, although the day was 
stormy, and the wind cold, he took his ac- 
customed ride, coming in after three o'clock, 



240 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

with his overcoat wet and the snow-flakes rest- 
ing in his hair. 

Those five hours' exposure resulted in a se- 
rious cold, sore throat, and hoarseness, which 
lingered for a day or two before it settled into 
alarming illness. It was about three o'clock on 
the morning of the 14tli that he awakened his 
wife, saying that he had a chill, and felt very 
badly ; but he was so fearful of her taking cold 
herself, that he would not permit her to rise and 
call help. By dayhght the difficulty of breath- 
ing had increased so much that he was scarcely 
able to utter a word. A doctor was immediately 
sent for, and in the mean time, at his own re- 
quest, he v.as bled by one of his overseers — 
that being the customary way of treating most 
diseases at ihat time, but in his case without 
any relief of the suffering. 

Before nine o'clock. Dr. Craik, an old friend, 
arrived, and two other physicians were also 
called. All the remedies that their united skill 
could suggest w^ere applied, but without effect. 

"About half-past foiu'," writes Mr. Lear, his 
secretary, " he desired me to call Mrs. Wash- 
ington to his bedside, when he requested her 
to go down into his room and take from his 



LITE OF WASHINGTON. 241 

desk two wills, Avliicli she would find there, and 
bring them to him, which she did. Upon look- 
ing at them, he gave her one, which he observed 
was useless, as being superseded by the other, 
and desired her to burn it, which she did, and 
took the other and put it into her closet. 

" After this was done, I returned to his bed- 
side, and took his hand. He said to me : ' I 
find I am going ; my breath cannot last long. 
I believed from the first that the disorder would 
prove fatal. Do you arrange all my late mili- 
tary letters and papers. Arrange my accounts 
and settle my books, as you know more about 
them than any one else ; and let Mr. Eawl!ns 
finish recording my other letters which he has 
begun.' I told him this should be done. He 
then asked if I recollected anything which 
it was essential for him to do, as he had but a 
very short time to continue with us. I told him 
that I could recollect nothing, but that I hoped 
he was not so near his end. He observed, 
smiling, that he certainly was, and that, as it 
was the debt which we must all pay, he loo" ed 
to the event with perfect resignation."' 

In the afternoon he w^.s in great pain, and 
was so restless that the w r j obHged of len to 
21 



242 LITE OF WASHINGTON. 

change his position in bed. He seemed con- 
stantly to feel annoyed lest lie should fatigue 
them, and remarked to Mr. Lear, who was al- 
ways there : " It is a debt we must pay to each 
other, and I hope when you want aid of this 
kind you will find it." 

Having noticed that his old servant, Christo- 
pher, had been standing for a long time, he told 
him to sit down, — showing that he did not, even 
then, forget the wants of those around him. 

About five o'clock he said to Dr. Craik : " I 
die hard, but I am not afi'aid to go. I believed 
fi'om my first attack, that I should not survive 
it. My breath cannot last long." 

Other remedies were administered during^ 
the evening, but without effect. "About ten 
o'clock," writes Mr. Lear, " he made several at- 
tempts to speak to me, before he could effect it. 
At length he said, ' I am just going. Have me 
decently buried, and do not let my body be put 
into the vault in less than three days after I am 
dead !' I bowed a&sent, for I could not speak. 
He then looked at me again, and said, ' Do you 
understand me?' I rephed, * Yes !' ' 'Tis well !' 
said he. 

" About ten minutes before he expired (which 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 243 

was between ten and eleven o'clock), liis breath- 
ing became easier. He lay quietly : he with- 
drew his hand from mine, and felt his own 
pulse. I saw his countenance change. I spoke 
to Dr. Craik, who sat by the fire. He came to 
the bedside. The General's hand fell from his 
wrist : I took it in mine and pressed it to my 
bosom. Dr. Craik put his hands over his eyes, 
and he expired without a struggle or a sigh. 

"While we were fixed in silent grief, Mrs. 
"Washington, who was seated at the foot of the 
bed, asked with a firm and collected voice, ' Is 
he gone ?' I could not speak, but held up my 
hand as a signal that he was no more. ' 'Tis 
well,' said she, in the same voice. * All is 
now over. . I shall soon follow him. I have no 
more trials to pass through.' " 

Thus, on the 14th of December, 1799, the 
great Washington closed his eyes forever in 
this world, and the nation lost its father and 
counsellor. 

The funeral took place on the 18th of Decem- 
ber, when his body was laid in the old family 
vault on the Mount Yernon estate, where his 
forefathers for generations had been entombed. 
The hour fixed on was three in the afternoon, 



244 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

but by eleven o'clock the neighboring popula- 
tion, with the town authorities of Alexandria, 
the militia, and Freemasons, began to collect. 

The procession left the house at the appointed 
time, and passed out at the left wing, proceed- 
ing around in fi'ont of the lawn, and down to 
the vault, which was on the right of the house, 
minute-guns being fired from a schooner in the 
river. First came the troops, then four cler- 
gymen ; then the General's horse, led by two 
grooms in mourning ; next, the body, carried by 
the Freemasons and officers ; after which followed 
the members of his family and numerous friends. 
The sublime service of the Episcopal Church 
was read by the Rev. Mr. Davis ; the Freema- 
sons also performed their ceremonies, and then 
the body was laid in the vault. There was no 
gorgeous display, but all was simple and solemn, 
just as Washington himself would have wished 
it to be.* 

When the sad news reached Congress, which 
was then in session in Philadelphia, it immedi- 
ately adjourned for the day, and the next day 
resolutions were passed, expressing the deep 

* See note at the end. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 245 

sorrow of the people. The speaker's chair was 
shrouded in black, and the members of Con- 
gress assumed a mourning garb during the re- 
mainder of the session. On the 26th of Janu- 
ary, 1800, the day was specially set apart for 
reHgious services, and a solemn commemoration 
of the virtues of the man who was "first in 
w^ar, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
countrymen." 

In every town and village where the news had 
come, there were lamentations and mourning ; 
for the whole nation wept over his grave. Nor 
was this sentiment of grief confined to our own 
country alone ; in France, and England also, 
there were marked tokens of respect for his 
memory, and the flags were craped and placed 
at half-mast. 

The will of General Washington had been 
carefully made, and given into his wife's hands, 
as has been stated, a short time before he died. 
Upon opening it, it was discovered that one of 
the first provisions contained in it, ordered the 
em ncipation of all his slaves on the death of 
his wife : the only reason why he delayed doing 
this during their own lives was, that many of 
them had married among the negroes belong- 
31* 



246 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

ing to Mrs. Washington in her own right, and 
it therefore seemed impossible to set them free 
so long as she Hved. But he expressly for- 
bade the sale of any of his negroes, or their 
removal from Virginia. Besides this, he made 
provision for the support of such as were too 
old or infirm to maintain themselves. 

At the present writing, when slavery is abol- 
ished by law ill these free United States, it is 
pleasant to reflect that Washington, although 
born and brought up a slaveholder, yet de- 
plored the system, and longed for some plan 
by which it could be done away with. In a let- 
ter to Mr. John F. Mercer, in 1786, he says : " I 
never mean, unless some particular circumstan- 
ces should compel me to it, to possess another 
slave by purchase, it being among my first 
wishes to see some plan adopted by which 
slavery in this country may be abolished by 
law." 

And again, to his nephew Lawrence Lewis, he 
writes : " I wish from my soul that the Legisla- 
ture of this State (Virginia) could see the policy 
of a gradual abolition of slavery. It might pre- 
vent much future mischief." 



LIPE OF WASHINGTON. 247 



CHAPTEE XXIII. 

Character of Washington — His bright example — Traits of 
his childhood and youth — His manhood — His religion 
and patriotism — Self-control — Dislike of profanity — His 
personal appeamnce — Conclusion. 

And now, having given a brief glance at the 
life of this great and good man, interwoven as 
it is with the history of our country, it only re- 
mains for us to sum up his character, and di'aw 
attention once more to the shining points which 
mark his career from early childhood to the last 
hours of his Hfe ; — his unwavering love of truth ; 
his reverence and obedience toward his parents, 
especially to that widowed mother upon whom 
had fallen the duty of training him ; his trust 
in God, and desire to be led by the Divine hand 
in all his difficulties. What a bright example 
he has given to the boys of America ! And not 
to them only, for his name is treasured in 
many other lands as a model of wisdom and 
virtue. 



248 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

Then as lie grew to man's estate, we have 
shown how mdustriouslj he labored to make 
himself proficient in his profession, and how that 
proficiency led the way to success in more ardu- 
ous and responsible positions. Then, when his 
country called him to lead her armies, the bene- 
fit of such habits became apparent, and with 
a mind accustomed to reflect, and a wise 
judgment to decide, he entered on the great 
work before him, and, by the blessing of 
Almighty God, achieved the independence of 
his country. 

In the foregoing pages, we have described 
some of the trying scenes and discouragements 
of those weary years ; but no words of ours can 
tell what a weight of responsibility rested on 
that one man, to whom God had given the 
great work of setting his country free. And 
then, when the delights of home were before 
him, and just within his reach, he resigned 
them once more at the call of duty, his pa- 
triotism being a part of his religion. " His 
most sacred duty to himself," says Irving, 
*' was his highest duty to his country and his 
God." 

The character of Washington is one of the 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 249 

briglitest in history, and while the world shall 
last, his name will be handed down from gener- 
ation to generation as an example of pure virtue, 
noble ambition, and wise judgment. His pas- 
sions were strong, and sometimes, when tried 
beyond his power to control them, they found 
vent in excited words ; but they were almost 
instantly checked, so great was his habit of self- 
control. 

Profanity was a thing he would never permit, 
and during the campaigns of the Revolution, 
he repeatedly issued orders to prevent profane 
swearing among the soldiers. Once, A\hen a 
number of officers were dining with him, one 
of them uttered an oath. Washington immedi- 
ately laid down his knife and fork, saying with 
solemn dignity:* "I thought we all supposed 
ourselves to be gentlemen." Of course the re- 
buke was felt, and no more sweariug was heard 
in his presence. 

Of his personal appearance we can form a 
tolerably good opinion from the many likenesses 
around us. He was six feet in height, mth a 
broad chest, regular features, and blue eyes ; a 
grave expression of countenance, yet placid and 
kind. An eye-witness who saw him in New 



250 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 

York during the first year of Lis first presi- 
dential term, thus describes him : 

" In the year of our Lord 1790, I stood upon 
the door-step of the counting-house of which I 
was then but the youngest clerk, when the com- 
panion beside me hurriedly said, 'There he 
comes! There comes Washington !' I looked up 
Pearl-street, and saw approaching with stately 
tread and open brow, the Father of my country. 
His hat was off, for the day was sultry, and he was 
accompanied by Colonel Page and James Madi- 
son. Never have I forgotten, nor shall I to my 
dying day forget, the serene, tlie benign, the 
godlike expression of that man of men. His 
lofty mien, and commanding figure, set off to 
advantage by an elegant dress, consisting of a 
blue coat, buff small-clothes, silver knee and 
shoe buckles, and white vest; his powdered 
locks, and powerful vigorous look (for he was 
then in the prime and strength of his manhood), 
have never faded fi'om my mind during the many 
years which, with all their chances and changes, 
have rolled between."^ 

Well may we hold up to the admiration of the 

* Personal Recollections of the American Revolution, 
edited by Sidney Barclay. 



LIFE OF WASHINGTON. 



251 



rising generation, such a cliaracter as tliis, — 
one that has never been charged with a single 
vice, a devout and sincere Christian, who spent 
his life in the service of his country, and whose 
lasting monument is in every heart. 




ISrO TE. 



The following description of the tomb of 
"Washington is taken fi^om Harper's Montlily, 
March, 1859 : 

" Over the door of the tomb, upon .1 stone panel, 
are cut these words : ' I am the resurrection and 
the life ; he that believeth in me, though he were 
dead, yet shall he live !' The old vault referred to 
was upon the brow of a declivity, in full view of 
the river, about three hundred yards south of the 
mansiou, on the left of the present pathway from 
the tomb to the summer-house on the edge of the 
lawn. It is now in utter ruhi. The doorway is 
gone, and the cavity is partly filled with rubbish. 
Therein the remains of Washington lay undis- 
turbed for thirty years, when an attempt was made 
by some Vandal to carry them away. The insecure 
old vault was entered, and a skull and some bones 
were taken ; but these composed no part of the re- 
mains of the illustrious dead. The robber was de- 
tected, and the bones were recovered. The new vault 
vvas then immediately built, and all the family re- 



NOTE. 253 

mains were placed in it. Mr. William Strickland, of 
Philadelphia, who designed the composition on the 
lid of Washington's coffin, and accompanied Mr. 
Struthers when the remains of the patriot were 
placed in it in 1837, has left a most interesting ac- 
count of that event. On entering the vault, they 
found everything in confusion. Decayed frag- 
ments of coffins were scattered about, and bones 
of various parts of the human body were seen 
promiscuously thrown together. The decayed 
wood was dripjDing wijh moisture. * The slimy 
snail glistened in the light of the door-opening. 
The brown centipede was disturbed by the ad- 
mission of fresh air, and the mouldy cases of the 
dead gave a pungent and unwholesome odor.' 
The coffins of Washington and his lady were in 
the deepest recess of the vault. They were of 
lead, enclosed in wooden cases. When the sarco- 
phagus arrived, the coffin of the Chief was brought 
forth. The vault was first entered by Mr. Strick- 
land, accompanied by Major Lewis (the last sur- 
vivor of the first executors of the will of Wash- 
ington) and his son. When the decayed wooden 
case was removed, the leaden lid was perceived to 
be sunken and fractured. In the bottom of the 
wooden case was found the silver coffin-plate, in 
the form of a shield, which was placed upon the 



254 NOTE. 

leaden coffin when Washington was first entombed. 
* At the request of Major Lewis,' says Mr. Strick- 
• land, * the fractured part of the lid was turned 
over on the lower part, exposing to view a head 
and breast of large dimensions, which appeared, 
by the dim light of the candles, to have suffered 
but little from the effects of time. The eye- 
sockets were large and deep, and the breadth 
across the temples, together with the forehead, ap- 
peared of unusual size. There was no appearance 
of grave-clothes ; the chest was broad,* the color 
was dark, and had the appearance of dried flesh 
and skin adhering closely to the bones. We saw 
no hair, nor was there any offensive odor from the 
body ; but we observed, when the coffin had been 
removed to the outside of the vault, the dripping 
down of a yellow liquid, which stained the marble 
of the sarcophagus. A hand was laid upon the 
head, and instantly removed ; the leaden lid was 
restored to its place, the body, raised by six men, 
was carried and laid in the marble coffin, and the 
ponderous cover being put on and set in cement, 
it was sealed from our sight on Saturday, the 7th 
day of October, 1837. * * * The relatives 
who were present, consisting of Major Lewis, Lo- 
renzo Lewis, John Augustine Washington, George 
Washington, the Rev. Mr. Johnson and lady, and 



NOTE. 255 

Mrs. Jane "Vyashington, then retired to the man- 
sion. On the east side of the tomb, beneath neat 
marble monuments, lie the remains of Mrs. Eleanoi» 
Parke Lewis, and her daughter, Mrs. M. E. Con- 
rad. The former was the grand-daughter of Mrs. 
Washington, and adopted daughter of the Gen- 
eral. In front of the tomb are two stately obelisks 
of marble ; the one on the right commemorates 
the eminent Judge Bushrod Washington, nephew 
of the General, who inherited Mount Yernon ; the 
one on the left, John Augustine Washington, a 
nephew of the Judge, and father of the present 
proprietor of the estate. These are all the family- 
monuments that stand by the tomb of the patriot." 

Since the above was written the estate of 
Mount Vernon, with the sacred tomb of Wash- 
ington, has become the property of the nation, 
having been purchased by the " Ladies' Mount 
Vernon Association," the money having been 
raised by voluntary contributions from all parts 
of the Union. 



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